Belarus No 4 (955) 2013 by Ambasciata bielorussa in Italia

No.4 (955), 2013

BELARUS Беларусь. Belarus

Magazine for you

Interactive potential revealed effectively in Asia

Politics, Economy, Culture

pp.

4-8

INTERNATIONAL

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Contents

Беларусь.Belarus Monthly magazine No. 4 (955), 2013 Published since 1930 State Registration Certificate of mass medium No.8 dated March 2nd, 2009, issued by the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Belarus

Founders: The Information Ministry of the Republic of Belarus “SB” newspaper editorial office Belvnesheconombank

9-10

Partnership knows no borders

10 12

Essence of real actions President Lukashenko’s

official visit to United Arab Emirates ends tour of ‘distant arc’ of South-East Asia and Middle East

Executive Secretary: Valentina Zhdanovich

Three ‘whales’ of export

Income and expenditure

Science of increasing yields

From idea to millions in investments The

Editor: Viktor Kharkov

early 1990s were a worrying time for one of the regions most affected by the Chernobyl disaster: Belarus’ Gomel Region. The question of how best to revive this huge territory, to enable residents to return, was hotly debated. One of the first steps to economic recovery was the establishment of the free economic zone, Gomel-Raton

Sun inherited This year, famous writer and

public figure Vladimir Lipsky celebrates at least two significant anniversaries: 35 years as chief editor of Rainbow (a children’s magazine); and 25 years leading the Belarusian Children’s Fund

Desire to‘read’ rushnik Anya Shevtsova, 83, is

In search of eternal truth Nemiga Minsk

sharing hand-woven 4m long red-and-white embroidered rushnik napkins with the public. Some are as old as their owner

Artists’ Creative Association defines future path of national fine arts

Ribbon in hair complements your outfit

Menu with 200 year old history Intangible

At all times wedding has been considered as one of happy moments of life

cultural heritage of Belarus: not only beautiful but tasty

Design and Layout by Vadim Kondrashov Беларусь.Belarus is published in Belarusian, English, Spanish and Polish. Distributed in 50 countries of the world. Final responsibility for factual accuracy or interpretation rests with the authors of the publications. Should any article of Беларусь.Belarus be used, the reference to the magazine is obligatory. The magazine does not bear responsibility for the contents of advertisements.

Publisher: “SB” editorial office This magazine has been printed at “Belarusian House of Press” Publishing Office” UE. 79 Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk, Belarus, 220013 Order No.1243 Total circulation — 1952 copies (including 733 in English).

Write us to the address: 11 Kiselyov Str., Minsk, Belarus, 220029. Tel.: +375 (17) 290-62-24, 290-66-45. Tel./Fax: +375 (17) 290-68-31. www.belarus-magazine.by E-mail: mail@belarus-magazine.by

Minsk to meet hospitably What is needed

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For future foreign subscribers for ‘Belarus’ magazine, apply to ‘MK-Periodica’ agency. E-mail: info@periodicals.ru

Flying saucer landed in Borisov

Premiere in renewed theatre

Life in paradise and beyond

Telephone in Minsk: +375 (17) 227-09-10.

2013 беларусь.belarus

editor’s note

elarus may be almost unknown to the residents of remote

BelAZ a confident leader within the market; it already manufactures a third of

Indonesia and Singapore, despite diplomatic relations

the world’s heavy-duty dump trucks. In 2012, BelAZ exported to 32 countries,

with Indonesia being established almost 20 years ago,

including such European states as Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro, which use

but delegations have become more active in the past 4-

Belarusian quarry machinery to extract mineral resources.

5 years. Since 2009, several visits have occurred and, in 2011, the Belarusian Embassy opened in Jakarta.

We share similar views on a range of

Trucks by Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ) are less powerful yet also generate significant export revenue. In March 2013, MAZ signed its first contract to supply 50 right-hand drive dump trucks to Indonesia. Two

principal international issues within the

vehicles were initially sent for demonstration at the Indonesia International

UN and the Non-Aligned Movement and

Buses, Truck & Components Exhibition in

both advocate a multi-polar world order;

Jakarta, with successful trials following.

our political background for developing

A delegation from MAZ also visited the

efficient economic interaction certainly

South-African Republic, resulting in an

looks favourable. President Alexander

order for at least 100 vehicles and,

Lukashenko recently visited Indonesia

in 2013, the same number of

and Singapore, accompanied by a large

trucks, trailers and pull tractors

group of top ranking officials and entrepre-

are to be sent to Ghana.

neurs, as you can read in Potential Efficiently

M i n s k Tra c to r Wo r k s’

Revealed in Asia.

strategy of conquering world

The Belarusian President also visited the

markets relies on assembly production

United Arab Emirates. Although our close

in various countries: over 20 such facilities

collaboration with South-East Asia is rela-

across 12 states, on various continents. Due

tively new, our relationship with the UAE has

to this alone, in 2012, the company managed

a long history. Bilateral relationships are cha-

to supply its machinery to 60 countries.

racterised by a high degree of trust and active

Minsk tractors enjoy especial popularity

political contacts. As far as trade-economic cooperation is concerned, this is steadily gaining momentum. Last year, Belarusian exports to the UAE totalled $21m while imports stood at $17m — a relatively small figure. However, several years ago, even these figures did not

Formula for success

in South-East Asia, for their ease of control and servicing, reliability and high efficiency. Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam, alongside Iran, India and Pakistan, are good markets for MTZ. In 2013, MTZ began to assemble vehicles in Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh. The

exist. The dynamics are such that mutual trade in recent years has gradually

largest batch of Minsk tractors was recently dispatched to Venezuela, where

expanded; enterprises with Belarusian capital are now operating in the

it’s also planned to set up assembly, for onward sale across Latin America.

United Arab Emirates. Moreover, companies with UAE capital are registered

Exporting enterprises abound in Belarus, ready to conquer new

in Belarus and businessmen from the Emirates are investing in our economy.

markets. However, we need investors to help develop contemporary tech-

This topic is further explored in Partnership Knows No Borders.

nologies, using regional resources.

Belarus is known in many countries through its famous industrial

The early 1990s were a worrying time for one of the Belarusian

brands, MAZ, BelAZ and MTZ, which have long enjoyed a foothold abroad.

regions most affected by the Chernobyl disaster: the Gomel Region. The

They have been, and remain, permanent representatives of Belarusian

question of how best to revive this huge territory, to enable residents

foreign economic potential. BelAZ will be manufacturing up to 1,000 auto-

to return and build plans for the future, was hotly debated. Naturally,

mobile giants (with a load capacity of 90-450 tonnes) within a couple of

solutions have been found, regardless of difficulties. One of the first

years, at its new production facilities. Three ‘Whales’ of Export notes

steps to economic recovery has been the establishment of the Gomel-

that nobody would manufacture such expensive vehicles without already

Raton free economic zone. Without a stable economy, it’s impossible

having buyers; accordingly, BelAZ has several potential clients ready to place

to bring social benefits to the local population; the FEZ aims to help

orders for its 450 tonne vehicle (currently under construction). Russian and

the region gain economic independence, generating jobs and revenue.

Latin American companies are the most likely customers; of course, only a

Read about its success in From Idea to Millions in Investments.

select few will be able to make use of such gigantic excavators and trucks,

Strategy and tactics are always confirmed by results. If these are evident,

which limits the potential market. Indonesia, for example, is only ready to

then plans are clearly successful. Of course, long distances increase the like-

use smaller vehicles at present, ordering five 45 tonne BelAZ vehicles.

lihood of obstacles and failures but a journey of a thousand miles begins

Meanwhile, the Belarusian Automobile Works has prepared another innovation: the world’s ‘smallest’ heavy-duty dump truck (90 tonne capacity)

with a single step, so persistence is required. Preparation is the way forward, in our individual lives and in relation to the wider economy.

to be coupled with electromechanical transmission. This brings ease of control and better efficiency, keeping costs down. BelAZ is also designing a truck which can be ‘driven’ remotely, by radio. Such innovations have made

беларусь.belarus 2013

BY Viktor Kharkov

panorama

Features of common holiday Chairman of Supreme State Council of Union State, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, congratulates Belarusians and Russians on Day of Unity of Peoples of Belarus and Russia

n h i s c o n g r a t u l a t i o n , M r. Lukashenko noted that Unity Day occupies a special place among the many public holidays in the year. The greeting reads: ‘It comes from the will of our brotherly nations to unite efforts and jointly create our future. It is deeply symbolic that, against the background of 1990s centrifugal tendencies within the whole post-Soviet space, only we — Belarusians and Russians — have managed to lay the foundations of unity on a new historical stage, overcoming massive external pressure. Since that time, our countries have come a long way; Belarusian-Russian integration has been successfully implemented in contemporary large-scale projects, such as the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space. It will guide us towards our next goal — the Eurasian Union. We’ll create new organisational forms and a further level of integration; however, the historical decision

of our nations — adopted 17 years ago — will remain the foundation of these processes.’ The President of Belarus notes that bilateral trade now exceeds $43bn. His greeting continues: ‘We’re jointly building a nuclear power station and mastering space together, while efficiently uniting our potential in the sphere of science. We’re implementing joint projects across various branches — from industry and agriculture to education and social services. We’re systematically co-operating in the spheres of foreign and defence policy so, despite new threats and instability worldwide, we can look confidently to the future. Most vitally, citizens of our states don’t feel like foreign aliens in Belarus or Russia’. Mr. Lukashenko wishes all Belarusians and Russians health, happiness and prosperity. His greeting ends: ‘May our countries’ inviolable, strategic partnerships grow ever stronger!’

 Fascinating phenomenon More Russians than ever choosing Belarus as their place of residence

he State Secretary of the Un i on St ate, Gr i gor y Rapota, announced the news at a press conference in Moscow, dedicated to the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia. Mr. Rapota is convinced that the provision of equal rights for Belarusians and Russians plays a significant role in this trend. He

notes that unresolved issues exist, such as access to health care. Those who relocate permanently are eligible, but

 Example of beneficial interaction Integration aims to promote people’s standard of living in Belarus and Russia, notes Russian President Vladimir Putin in congratulatory message to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, on Day of Unity of Peoples of Belarus and Russia

r. Putin stressed, “Russia and Belarus are successfully developing mutually beneficial co-operation in a range of fields and constructive partnership in international affairs, while relying on glorious past traditions and the strong bonds of friendship and cultural and spiritual solidarity which have linked our two nations for centuries.” Mr Putin praised the positive o u t c o m e s o f t h e Un i o n S t a t e Supreme Council session, held on March 15th in St. Petersburg, and expressed confidence that integration processes will contribute to promoting the welfare of Russians and B elarusians. He sees today’s integration establishing favourable conditions for the foundation of the Eurasian Economic Union. those staying temporarily are not currently covered; legislation is being drafted to solve this problem and that of access to education and pensions (particularly for the military). At pres ent, 20,000 Belarusians study in Russia, while 2,000 Russians attend Belarusian universities. “Technological issues remain regarding university entry, so we need citizens to understand how to access their equal rights to education. There’s a unified state exam in Russia and centralised testing in Belarus,” adds Mr. Rapota.

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Interactive potential revealed effectively in Asia President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on state visit to Indonesia and Singapore

iplomatic relations between B elarus and Indonesia will have been formally established 20 years a g o, w i t h i n t h e next three months. However, the most active contacts began just 4-5 years ago. Since 2009, delegations have been exchanged more regularly and, in 2011, the Belarusian Embassy to Jakarta opened. We share similar views on a number of important issues on the international agenda and co-operate in the United Nations and Non-Aligned Movement. We both support multipolar world order, and speak for each other’s initiatives within the international arena, as well as supporting each other’s candidates on elected bodies of the UN. We enjoy a favourable political background for effective economic co-operation, ever moving forward, although our pace of liaison is yet to meet its full potential. Our mutual turnover was steadily rising until the past year. Sadly, just over $132m was registered last year, compared to $219.2m in 2011. However, the figure stood at just over $60m five years ago, rising to $144.4m in 2008 and to $176.4m in 2010. Fluctuations reflect the large

беларусь.belarus 2013

volume of Belarus’ exports of potash fertilisers to Indonesia, as the world market is quite changeable. Clearly, it makes sense to diversify our trade. The Belarusian Ambassador to Indonesia, Vladimir Lopato-Zagorsky, tells us, “In the traditional format, we’ve been doing well developing bilateral trade. However, we now need to find new forms of co-operation, moving towards joint ventures. We organised a very productive meeting between Belshina’s General Director and the leadership of the largest Indonesian company, to discuss joint production of tyres for passenger cars (based in Belarus) and commercial vehicles (based in Indonesia). In the near future, technicians will exchange visits and we’ll try to move forward as quickly as possible, to take advantage of the huge demand for tyres, with our reliable partners.” According to the ambassador, a number of joint ventures are in the pipeline and there are opportunities to increase the supply of machinery to Indonesia. He tells us, “The first deliveries of BelAZ products have already been made, but the success of our machinery depends on the market. Initial customer feedback is positive and we’ve seen interest from new

partners. I think that we’ll see significant supply volumes.” There are also good prospects for investment co-operation, as Mr. Lopato-Zagorsky emphasises. He notes that state officials and business circles from Indonesia have been discussing opportunities in this direction, especially regarding the agricultural sector of Belarus. He explains, “We’ve established close contacts with Indonesia’s largest food manufacturing enterprise, which is eager to learn more about milk processing in Belarus and the import of such products onto its market. The Indonesian company is also considering production of pasta products in Belarus.” The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Russia and Belarus, Jauhari Oratmangun, is keen to see trade and investment promoted, asserting, “There are many areas where our two countries could cooperate successfully. Belshina, BelAZ and potash fertiliser producers are already reliable partners of Indonesia.” Ind one s i an Pre s i d e nt Su s i l o B a m b a n g Yu d h o y o n o m e t h i s B elarusian colleague, Alexander Lukashenko, at the Merdeka Palace (the Palace of Independence). Their

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Official welcome ceremony for the President of Belarus in the capital of Indonesia Jakarta

meeting made clear their political will to develop relations in all mutually beneficial areas. In the morning, the Belarusian delegation and their Indonesian colleagues applied the finishing touches to co-operative agreements. Of course, this was the first official state visit for our two countries since Belarus’ independence. Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Makei notes that preparations have been on going for the past two years or more, in readiness for the meeting. Over the past few months, delegations have been exchanged at various levels, in preparation for the presidential level meeting, ensuring that specific business agreements were ‘on the table’; a BelarusianIndonesian business forum, held before official events at the Merdeka Palace, also helped find various solutions. Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko announced various proposals, including BelAZ dump trunks for

Indonesia’s steadily growing coal and mineral extraction. The Zhodino plant is ready to supply machinery with 25 to 400 tonne capacity. Of course, our competitors already have a strong presence on the market but our trucks have the significant advantage of consuming 18-20 percent less fuel, notes BelAZ Director General Piotr Parkhomchik. Naturally, this gives them an advantage. Meanwhile, MAZ cars and buses, city electric transport, tractors and road machinery are attractive to the Indonesian market. Besides simple sales, assembly plants could also be established in Indonesia. Mr. Semashko notes that priority areas of co-operation include manufacturing and processing of food and enterprises making building materials. Belarus welcomes Indonesian investors and is ready to support joint projects with personnel training programmes. Our educational

system is known for being at the highest level. Of course, other areas of mutual interest exist. Mr. Semashko notes that 250,000 tonnes of potash fertilisers are to be supplied to Indonesia this year, with a framework contract concluded for three years. The price is still under discussion, but the volume of sales is estimated to be worth $107m. In addition, 50 MAZ dump trucks, 20 BelAZ and 20 MTZ tractors are being supplied this year, with contracts signed. Another 500 MAZ dump trucks and 600 MTZ tractors in Belarus are being discussed. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Leonid Zayats, reveals that substantial volumes of dried milk and whey are also to be supplied to Indonesia, worth up to $150m. Indonesia is interested in Belarusian butter, cheese and other dairy products, so further contracts are likely. Furthermore, a joint meat processing

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visits plant in Belarus is under discussion, with a delegation from Indonesia soon to visit Minsk. A number of promising joint projects are possible. Already, work in South-East Asia has proven efficient, with the recent trip resulting in contracts worth at least $400m. Talking to reporters after his meeting with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President Lukashenko said that he considered it ‘a great step forward’. As turnover stood at just $132.2m last year, the increase is significant. Meanwhile, further trade is likely; the agreements signed so far are just the first steps. Mr. Makei mentions hundreds of millions of Dollars’ worth of contracts as a result of the business forum: twelve contracts, agreements, memoranda, reports and documents were signed during the visit as a whole. Meanwhile, our presidents stress their interest in mutually beneficial cooperation becoming more dynamic. After a warm greeting from Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and discussion of future prospects for BelarusianIndonesian co-operation, Alexander Lukashenko suggested, “I’m sure that if, today, we properly define the terms of growth and lay the basis for a longterm relationship, then the next year or two will see us triple our volume of bilateral trade — as a minimum.” The President is sure that these agreements and contracts are the first step towards achieving this goal, as, “We have tremendous untapped potential for interaction.” Obviously, this potential needs to be evaluated not only in the context of bilateral relations, but more widely, since Indonesia is one of the most influential countries in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Belarus is a consistent leader in integration processes within the post-Soviet space, so our two countries could help each other gain access to the markets of the ASEAN and the Single Economic Space (in the nearest future the Eurasian Economic Union). The presidents of Belarus and Indonesia have agreed that this vector of

беларусь.belarus 2013

interaction is very promising. Moreover, as Mr. Lukashenko noted, our countries are natural partners, having complementary rather than competitive economies. The heads of state are delighted by the latest contracts and assert that our two countries’ shared position on key international issues is naturally complemented by intensive trade and economic interaction. The Belarusian President concluded, “I’m convinced that, together, we can significantly drive forward our bilateral relations, establishing ties between our two states.” Indonesia supports this view of future co-operation between our two countries. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called Mr. Lukashenko’s visit to his country an historic event, as it opens up new horizons for mutually beneficial co-operation. Mr. Lukashenko has invited his Indonesian colleague to visit Belarus in the near future: an invitation accepted with pleasure by Indonesia’s head of state.

in 77th place among the most influential women in the Arab world. San Capital Investment Company and the Saudi Investment Bank are just two of over three dozen business structures in whose management Shaikha Dheya bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa is involved (their assets stand at $8bn and over $13bn respectively). Her corporations’ interests are scattered around the world; she does business in the Middle East, North Africa and Western Europe. Speaking to Mr. Lukashenko, she looked at prospects in Belarus, referring to last year’s visit by the Riyada Group to Belarus, when international leasing contracts came under scrutiny. Riyada Group is ready to help Belarus sell its goods abroad under finance terms, providing the appropriate funds. This ‘Islamic Finance’, via Riyada Group, would help MAZ, BelAZ, Amkodor and Belkommunmash sell goods to Persian Gulf countries.

“Belarus, like Singapore, has chosen its own path of development, taking into account the interests of the Belarusian people… We solve difficult economic and social problems with a strong and consistent hand, conducting a peaceful foreign policy”

ingapore is a special city-state, seeming designed for such meetings. It’s a real world business hub, where the paths of influential business and political figures cross. It’s a good place for clarifying partnership intentions, as Mr. Lukashenko found on meeting Riyada Group Holding Company President Shaikha Dheya bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa. Shaikha Dheya bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa has considerable weight in the business world. Forbes magazine last year ranked this charming lady

Alexander Lukashenko Additionally, the establishment of assembly plants for our passenger vehicles in Oman was discussed, as were joint ventures to produce food products. Belorusneft is also keen to participate in oil and gas projects in the Middle East. Singap ore hoste d an of f ici a l welcome ceremony for the President of Belarus arriving on his state visit, followed by talks with President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mr. Lukashenko’s meeting with the Singapore President indicated that our states share a political desire to develop relations in all areas. Mr. Lukashenko described

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Meeting of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and the President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam

the meeting as ‘very fruitful’, noting, “We recognise our mutual interest in establishing full-scale relations between our countries and understand that this first high level visit in our history of bilateral relations necessitates the laying of solid foundations for long-term liaisons.” We value contacts in all spheres, including the exchange of experience; naturally, it’s useful to learn from Singapore. During his meeting with the Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, the President stated, “Over our short time here, we’ve seen your undoubted success in building a modern and prosperous state. I won’t hide the fact that

we’re interested in your chosen model of development, as it has allowed you to enjoy impressive and dynamic economic growth and rising living standards within a short period of time.” Prospects for co-operation are multifaceted and Mr. Lukashenko is convinced that bilateral turnover could be increased tenfold from today’s $26.5m. Our mutual potential far surpasses this figure, asserts the President. He believes that Singapore would b e an ideal platform for promoting Belarusian products across South-East Asia, which boasts a huge market. The President assured Lee Hsien Loong, “Many of our largest

companies are ready for fruitful and mutually beneficial co-operation with your investors. We’re spending great amounts on their modernisation, transforming our Soviet legacy into high-performance, advanced enterprises. We’re ready to consider all proposals to buy shares in our largest companies, with the only conditions being transparency, economic viability and mutual benefit.” Mr. Lukashenko is convinced that Belarusian investment proposals presented at the Belarusian-Singaporean Business Forum in Singapore will attract interest, especially now that Belarus is forming the Common Economic

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visits centre, Singapore could become an attractive location for Belarusian securities: a sphere being worked upon at present. He also emphasised that many more areas of co-operation are possible and that, once in contact, our business circles will undoubtedly find new spheres of co-operation. President Lukashenko invited Lee Hsien Loong to pay Belarus an official visit, saying, “We’ll be happy to welcome you to Minsk at any time convenient. Belarus is keen to see open, long-term and subjective dialogue on all bilateral issues.”

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Space with Russia and Kazakhstan. He emphasises, “This is a huge market: a population of 170 million people and enormous potential for development.” The President drew attention to the investment attractiveness of the Belarusian-Chinese Industrial Park. Of course, this form of co-operation is no novelty for local businesses; the Park’s prototype is the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park. Mr. Lukashenko noted, “I’ve tasked the Government with studying the best experience and advanced technologies,

At the Belarusian-Singaporean Business Forum

to bring back to Belarus. We’re interested in Singapore’s experience in the field of ‘e-government’, in order to improve the efficiency of our state apparatus.” Interestingly, there is virtually no direct contact between the public and state officials in Singapore, since almost every issue can be resolved online, with documents available for download. This is certainly convenient for businesses and means that bribery is pretty much unheard of. Businessmen may have worked in Singapore for several years without having personally met a single official. Mr. Lukashenko highlighted the fact that, as a major world financial

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Mr. Lukashenko also invited President Tony Tan Keng Yam to visit Belarus and stressed his admiration for Singapore’s achievements in all spheres of social and economic development since its independence. He noted, “We like Singapore’s independent course in the international arena. The first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, brought the country out of its ‘third world’ status to become a global leader in a short period of time.” The President drew attention to the fact that Belarus, like Singapore, has chosen its own path of development, taking into account the

interests of the Belarusian people. He added, “We solve difficult economic and social problems with a strong and consistent hand, conducting a peaceful foreign policy.” Mr. Lukashenko gave his estimation of prospects for co-operation, explaining, “For 20 years, since our establishment of diplomatic relations, certain progress has been seen in co-operation between Belarus and Singapore. However, I’m convinced that we can do far more. This is the first top-level visit in the history of relations between our two countries, allowing us to start dialogue on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. We have laid the foundations for mutually beneficial co-operation in various fields.” Tony Tan Keng Yam agreed that the visit had been historic and noted his optimism regarding future cooperation, saying, “Looking ahead, I’m sure that there are many means and opportunities for our two countries to build upon the good relations that already exist. We’ll work together for the benefit of our people. This state visit will help greatly in raising awareness of potential for co-operation with Belarus in various fields.” At the Belarusian-Singaporean Business Forum, representatives of business circles signed several agreements, fulfilling the hopes of the leaders of our two countries. A preliminary agreement was concluded to supply South-East Asian markets through the Singaporean office of the Belarusian Potash Company with 2.5 million tonnes of fertilisers. BPC Director General Valery Ivanov commented, “This is a step forward which, I hope, will drive forward BPC work in this region, allowing us to expand our influence in future.” No doubt, it’s a significant step forward. Last year, about 2.15 million tonnes were supplied to the region, showing substantial growth and the healthy continuation of constructive political dialogue at the highest level for trade and business.

After his SouthEast Asia trip, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has visited the United Arab Emirates, meeting the UAE leadership and having a range of meetings with representatives of business circles

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Alexander Lukashenko during the meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Partnership knows no borders

he President of Belarus has met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and D e p ut y Supre m e Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed

bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister and UAE Interior Minister, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan. While relations with South-East Asian states are relatively new, those with the United Arab Emirates are long established, our diplomatic mission

having opened there in 1992. Our bilateral relations have been characterised by a high degree of trust and active political contacts. Mr. Lukashenko visited the UAE in 2000 and, most recently, in 2007 while high-level delegations have been exchanged many times. In March 2009, a member of the Executive Council of the Abu Dhabi Government, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (the elder son of the UAE President) visited Belarus. Over quite a short period of time, relations between our two states have acquired an open character of sincere friendship: a solid foundation for the development of Belarusian-Emirate liaisons. Accordingly, we have every hope that political dialogue will continue dynamically in the years to come. As far as trade-economic collaboration is concerned, this is gradually

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visits gaining momentum, although is yet to match that seen with other partner states. Last year, Belarusian exports to the UAE totalled $20.8m while imports stood at $17.1m — relatively small figures. However, this has grown from nothing at all, with the amount rising year on year. Enterprises with Belarusian capital are operating in the United Arab Emirates and 14 companies with UAE capital are registered in Belarus; businessmen from the UAE are investing in our economy. Clearly, the scene is now set for further visits by the President to this friendly and promising partner state. On meeting the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mr. Lukashenko noted that Belarus hopes to reinforce co-operation with the UAE in various spheres. He emphasised, “The Republic of Belarus’ aspiration to develop relations with the UAE is a conscious choice, borne from a desire to build fully-fledged interaction with a friendly state. We feel a similar approach from the UAE, and Belarus hopes that active political dialogue will continue to develop dynamically. We aim to gradually take our relations to a new level of co-operation, covering all key areas of politics and economics.” Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has also confirmed interest in strengthening Belarusian-Emirate ties and in developing mutually beneficial collaboration. Our two nations have discussed issues of co-operation in various branches: particularly, agriculture, industry and military-technical. Moreover, it has been agreed to study proposals at the next session of the Intergovernmental Belarusian-Emirati Commission on Trade-Economic Co-operation, which is scheduled for April. The Crown Prince has entrusted the UAE Government with promptly submitting definite proposals for main areas of collaboration with Belarus, which embrace our bilateral interests. As a sign of special respect, the Crown Prince invited members of ruling families from various emirates

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to attend his meeting with Alexander Lukashenko, as well as members of the Government, Parliament and diplomatic corps accredited in the UAE. Other influential figures from the UAE also took part. Mr. Lukashenko’s meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and UAE Interior Minister, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was also productive. Mr. Lukashenko stressed the dynamic development of the UAE in various spheres, including construction, tourism and oil extraction. He believes that the UAE’s experience could be useful to Belarus, noting, “We have mutually complementary rather than competing economies. Our companies could become active in the Emirates, while your enterprises could find their niche in Belarus. If this is beneficial and interesting, we shouldn’t waste time; we should co-operate. We’re pleased that the Emirates have never placed any preliminary conditions on us for collaboration. Moreover, we don’t plan to govern our interaction with political conditions.” According to Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE is interested in developing liaisons with Belarus across all areas, “We’re aware that industry, agriculture and other areas are well developed in Belarus and that your country is a leader among Eastern European states in terms of economic growth. We agree with you that it’s necessary to guide the economic basis of our co-operation. We know that, in the 2000s, Belarus was developing very rapidly, with GDP growing by about 89 percent annually. In the USA, growth stood at just 1-2 percent, so we note that yours was very high. I completely agree with your words and proposals and I have instructions from the President and the Crown Prince to develop collaboration with your country. We’ll determine definite projects for implementation.” The President’s visit has certainly stimulated collaboration with the UAE across all areas.

Essence of real actions President Lukashenko’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates ends tour of ‘distant arc’ of South-East Asia and Middle East

he President’s recent tour has included visits to Indonesia and Singapore, with whom relations are in their infancy, as well as the UAE, with whom Belarus has a long-established relationship. As well as mastering new markets in South-East Asia, Belarus is keen to nurture existing good relations. Speaking to journalists, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Valentin Rybakov, gave his views on BelarusianEmirati interaction and co-operation. Like many others, I’ve been wondering

visits

Far arc markets Belarus is looking for new export markets far abroad, inspiring President Lukashenko’s recent visit to Indonesia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates

what the Emirates can offer Belarus — being the most brilliant part of the Middle East. We all know about their oil reserves, for which they are famous, but Abu-Dhabi is also known as a dynamic, super modern international economic centre. It boasts the world’s highest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, while its intellectual prowess is evident in its Internet-city. The whole world is keen to liaise with today’s UAE. For the last two decades, good relations have existed between our two countries, characterised by a high degree of trust and political dialogue. “Such results have been achieved thanks to good personal contacts between the leadership of Belarus and the UAE, which are often the deciding factor, taking into account the unique nature of Arab Peninsula nations,” emphasised the Deputy Minister. As regards the development of cooperation with the UAE, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that they possess significant free finance resources. Mr. Rybakov affirmed that partners from the Emirates are interesting as investors and that Belarus has various attractive projects to offer in the spheres of infrastructure, agriculture, industry and real estate. Last year, we began a major pilot project in the sphere of property in Minsk, liaising with one of the largest Emirati holding companies: Al Habtoor.

Mr. Rybakov stresses that there are other potential investors, especially following the recent Belarusian trade fair in Dubai, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He believes that increased turnover and mutually beneficial investment projects will be the result. Analysing prospects for developing co-operation with the UAE and taking into account the recent visit of the President of Belarus to this country, the Minister for Foreign Affairs stresses, “The Head of State recently met the Crown Prince of Abu-Dhabi, the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also met the UAE Interior Minister, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both are keen to activate cooperation in key economic spheres, as well as in the military technical sphere. The Crown Prince of Abu-Dhabi has tasked the UAE government with preparing suggestions for key areas of co-operation with Belarus, leading to the launch of joint, mutually beneficial projects in the near future. At the next meeting of the intergovernmental joint committee, concrete projects are to be discussed, including suggestions from the Belarusian President’s meetings with the UAE leadership.

peaking of his recent visits, Mr. Lukashenko asserts that Belarusian products are in demand, as proven by the conclusion of relevant agreements. He stresses, “The main purpose of the visit is to create new windows in this far foreign arc, working with countries in the region.” The President notes that Belarus is liaising with Vietnam to gain entry to the markets of Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and other countries in the vicinity. Belarus is also co-operating with China and is making efforts to gain a foothold on the Indian market. As for Indonesia and Australia, Belarus is just launching itself in these countries; the President notes that both are showing keen interest in Belarusian goods. “Why do I travel there? Because when the President heads a delegation of ministers and business leaders, they have access to any official or minister in the host country. I can take them by the hand and lead them into rooms straight away, rather than them having to build a relationship for a year or two,” admits Mr. Lukashenko. He emphasises that the visits have produced specific contacts and project agreements. As for Singapore, the President underlines its riches, saying, “We believe that investors from Singapore have enough money and are interested in Belarus. We simply need to introduce ourselves.” Talking about the UAE, Mr. Lukashenko tells us that an agreement has been reached for Belarus to offer five or six projects (still to be chosen) for investment.

By Nina Romanova

2013 беларусь.belarus

brands

Three ‘whales’ of export Wonderful girls live in the small Belarusian town of Zhodino: champion weightlifters at world and European tournaments. From where does their passion for the sport originate? Perhaps Zhodino’s reputation for promoting all things strong is linked to its BelAZ enterprise. This August or September, the Belarusian Automobile Works will be launching the world’s largest heavy-duty dump truck, able to carry 450 tonnes of rock or minerals.

aturally, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, mentioned this to the leaders of Indonesia and Singapore during his recent visits and preliminary agreements worth $400m have been signed: quarry machinery accounts for a considerable part of this sum. Like sporting success, production achievements take years to prepare. A few years back, the Belarusian Automobile Works was manufacturing vehicles with a capacity of just 25 tonnes. This grew to 45, 90, 130, 280, 320 and 360 tonnes. The new 420-450 tonne giants (actually, almost 500 ‘short’ tonnes — as used in the West) seemed a distant dream until new technical solutions were found,

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underlines Piotr Parkhomchik, BelAZ’s Director General. He notes that the giant will have two diesel engines (instead of one) with a capacity of 4,600HP. It will also have two wheels on each side of the forward axle, with all wheels powered by electrical motors, making it a scaled-up version of a ‘4 x 4’ off-roader. The old workshops at the factory are too small for the production of such vehicles, so two new facilities are being constructed in Zhodino, near the operating plant. Their length and width are huge, to enable them to cope with the size of the vehicles they’re assembling. Moreover, eleven enormous bridge cranes are now in situ, to move components weighing up to 100 tonnes. Tenders are also being conducted for the purchase of metal cutting equipment. Total expenditure on the sites, which should be ready this year, is $644m, making this one of the largest

investment projects in Belarus to date. Throughout 2014-2015, up to 1,000 giant trucks, with a load capacity of 90450 tonnes, should be made at the new production facilities. Of course, nobody would produce such expensive vehicles without knowing that buyers were in the wings. BelAZ has several potential clients ready to place orders, with Russian and Latin American companies most likely. Only those with corresponding infrastructure will be able to make use of such gigantic excavators and trucks, so it limits the potential market. Indonesia, for example, is only ready to use smaller vehicles at present; it has ordered five 45 tonne BelAZ vehicles. Me a n w h i l e , t h e B e l a r u s i a n Automobile Works has prepared another premiere: the world’s smallest heavyduty dump truck (90 tonne capacity) to be coupled with electromechanical

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transmission. This brings ease of control and better efficiency, keeping costs down. BelAZ is also designing a truck which can be ‘driven’ remotely, by radio, to allow the vehicle to travel to sites dangerous to man — such as hundreds of metres below ground. Such innovations have made BelAZ a confident leader within the market; it already manufactures a third of the world’s heavy-duty dump trucks, including vehicles with a 30-360 tonne capacity and other heavy automobile machinery. In 2012, BelAZ exported to 32 countries, including such European states as Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro, which use Belarusian quarry machinery to extract mineral resources (with load capacities of 45-220 tonnes). Trucks by Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ) are less powerful yet also generate significant export revenue. In March 2013, MAZ signed its first

contract to supply 50 right-hand drive dump trucks to Indonesia. Two vehicles were initially sent for demonstration at the Indonesia International Buses, Truck & Components Exhibition in Jakarta, with successful trials following. A delegation from MAZ also visited the South-African Republic, resulting in an order for at least 100 vehicles and, in 2013, the same number of trucks, trailers and pull tractors are to be sent to Ghana, in West Africa. Minsk Tractor Works’ strategy of conquering world markets relies on assembly production in various countries: over 20 such facilities across 12 states, on various continents. Due to this alone, in 2012, the company managed to supply its machinery to 60 countries: vehicles with load capacities of 9-350HP. Minsk tractors enjoy especial popularity in South-East Asia, for their ease of control and servicing, reliability and high efficiency. Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam, alongside Iran, India and Pakistan, are good markets for MTZ. In 2013, MTZ began to assemble vehicles in Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh. They plan to manufacture 500 tractors, in various models, and 500 two-wheeled tractors over the coming year, using vehicle sets supplied from Belarus. The largest batch of Minsk tractors (560 units) was recently dispatched to Venezuela, where it’s also planned to set up assembly, for onward sale across Latin America. I’ve mentioned only three ‘whales’, which form the basis for Belarusian machine-building exports. However, there are many more such enterprises. Gomel’s Plant of Agricultural Machinery, Gomselmash, is another wonderful example, having recently designed a maize harvester for China, which gathers ears of corns whole. Since the planting distance in China is different, a new harvester thresher design was needed; hundreds of vehicle sets are now to be manufactured in Gomel, for assembly at the joint venture established in China.

From balance of interests to balance of trade Belarus and Turkey need to balance trade and build co-operation, stresses President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on meeting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu

r. Lukashenko believes that Belarus’ bilateral trade with Turkey is quite meagre, in the face of huge possibilities. He noted, “We vigorously co-operate with countries in the ‘far arc’ and have very few problems in trade or politics with neighbouring countries in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. However, we’re eager to diversify our markets and find interesting areas in countries further afield.” Mentioning his recent visit to South-East Asia, he commented to his colleague, “As a result of that visit, we’ve signed contracts worth $0.5bn. We lack such figures with Turkey although it’s situated closer; you must admit that it’s far from normal. I say this with a certain sadness and bitterness, as we enjoy very good political relations and there are no acute problems between the Turkish and Belarusian authorities.” The President emphasised that Belarus places great significance on the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister. He added, “These are not traditional words. Your visit to Minsk is very important to us and I strongly hope that we’ll outline a number of avenues of co-operation (perhaps five or six) to help forge trade and economic ties and boost trade turnover, while promoting interaction across all areas. Let us put this into practice.”

By Vladimir Yakovlev

2013 беларусь.belarus

agricultural sector

Science of increasing yields

round 15 years ago, Belarus’ agricultural companies primarily focused on satisfying domestic food needs for grain, potatoes, milk and meat. However, obsolete machinery and lack of finances made increased yields a far off dream. Significant state injections into agriculture ($225 per hectare in 2010 — against $59.60 in 2001) have changed the situation drastically, allowing Belarus not only to provide for its own needs but to annually increase its exports. This year, foreign sales are expected to reach $5.4bn. In recent years, cutting prime costs has been the main focus, alongside raising agricultural yield, through the use of new technologies and modernised agricultural machinery. As per the Government’s goal for 2013, by autumn,

беларусь.belarus 2013

10.9m tonnes of grain, 4.5m tonnes of sugar beet, 7.6m tonnes of potatoes, 180,000 tonnes of hay and 963,000 tonnes of rape seed oil are forecast.

Field kitchen needs precise calculations For several years, agricultural specialists and scientists have been looking at which crops should be planted in which locations, to maximise harvests: for human and cattle consumption. Our changing climate is necessitating optimisation, to beat drought, high winds and heavy rain. This year’s late spring has reduced the sowing season by 2-3 weeks, requiring extreme organisational skills from villagers to keep on schedule, as the Deputy General Director at the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences’ Centre for Arable Farming, Eroma Urban, notes. His team has been making recommendations to allow farming to cope with changing weather

conditions. The Gomel Region will be growing late rye and long-season corn, since its fields regularly suffer from drought and sandstorms. Over the past two years, local villagers have also been cultivating a new crop: sunflowers. Capricious weather is not the only obstacle to crop yield of course. Crop varieties need to be chosen carefully, with cattle fodder a growing priority. Meat and milk products are high foreign currency earners, relied upon by rural villagers and their farms. This year, milk yields are set to rise 800,000 tonnes on 2012, while beef production is to grow by 500,000 tonnes, thanks to high quality fodder. The Centre for Arable Farming is encouraging the planting of pulse crops, since around 500,000 tonnes of cattle fodder are currently imported, at a cost of $300m. This year, 250,000 hectares of pulses are being grown. In addition, spring barley cultivation needs re-consideration. At

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present, 70 percent of the crop is sent for beer production although only 2530 percent is needed (150,000 tonnes of malt). It would make more sense to grow less barley, allocating the land to other crops. In fact, up to 30-40 percent of land allocated to grain production (especially winter cereals) is failing to be planted with adequate crop rotation. Corn, sugar beet and potatoes are the ideal ‘predecessors’ to grain, ensuring maximum yield. Harvest volumes are down by 15-20 percent in fields lacking appropriate rotation, bringing a loss of at least 450-500,000 tonnes of grain (worth Br500bn). The Centre for Arable Farming proposes an individual approach to each field over the coming three or four years, paying special attention to creating good predecessors for following crops. According to Mr. Urban, this should raise yields by 10-35 percent while lowering prime costs and enhancing soil fertility.

Food for plants

New methods and machinery all have the same aim: the bountiful harvest of healthy crops. Unquestionably, soil fertility is at the heart of the equation, being responsible for 40-45 percent of yield. Fertilisers account for the remaining 55-60 percent. In recent years, new fertilisers have been promoted, as the Director of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Soil Sciences and Agricultural Chemistry, Vitaly Lapa, highlights. He explains, “Firstly, an increasing number of farms can now afford the optimal amount of nitrogen fertilisers. In the past, around 120-130kg were used per hectare for winter grains; now, 180-200kg are needed. This can raise harvest volumes by 60 percent or more, with fertilisers applied 4-5 times. Naturally, the efficiency of fertilisers depends on the period of their use. It’s a waste of time adding potassium to fields designed for

spring-planted crops in autumn — especially on the light soils of the Gomel, Brest and Grodno regions; it will be lost to autumn rain and the spring snow melt. Our potassium fertiliser prices are rising, reaching global levels, so we need to take advantage of every aspect. In fact, all European farms use complex fertilisation; it accounts for 65-70 percent of dressing. Our Institute has developed a whole range of complex fertilisers to boost Belarusian crops; 25 varieties are now produced by the Gomel Chemical Plant and a new facility is soon to open in Soligorsk, making complex fertilisers.” The most advanced development for Belarusian agro-chemists has been micro-fertilisers, heralding a new stage of crop farming. Over the past 2-3 years, Belarus has mastered production of a biologically active form of these fertilisers, absorbed perfectly by plants, resulting in good harvests. As Mr. Lapa emphasises, the Institute has developed a series of liquid micro-fertilisers and, in line with license agreements, around 100,000 litres were produced in 2012 (worth over Br1bn). Our domestic production already satisfies 10 percent of Belarusian needs: a reasonable result, as work was launched just a year ago. Machinery in the forefront New agricultural machinery has a role to play also, as we might expect. High efficiency, universality and multifunctionality are fundamental. The General Director of the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences’ Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, Vladimir Samosyuk, asserts that today’s machinery enables agrarians to minimise time spent on soil processing. Tractors are now more energy-efficient and equipment can simultaneously prepare soil, sow and fertilise, saving time and money. According to Mr. Samosyuk, Belarusian designers have already developed such multi-function machinery, with production launched. All innovations rely on feedback from farmers, helping them meet the ‘timetable’ of the agricultural year without fear of frost or late spring. By Lilia Khlystun

2013 беларусь.belarus

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region

From idea to millions in investments

omel-Raton FEZ was established by Presidential Decree on March 2nd, 1998, offering tax and customs concessions and unprecedented

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preferential treatment, with the aim of attracting foreign and domestic investments. Export-oriented and importsubstitution high-tech industries were particularly encouraged, forming the basis for recovery in the Gomel Region. With employment, people’s independence returns, as well as their spending

The early 1990s were a worrying time for one of the regions most affected by the Chernobyl disaster: Belarus’ Gomel Region. The question of how best to revive this huge territory, to enable residents to return, was hotly debated. One of the first steps to economic recovery was the establishment of the free economic zone, Gomel-Raton. power and self-esteem, bringing new life and hope. The FEZ is to offer its preferential terms for 50 years, in three stages: formation — 1998-2005; basic infrastructure — 2005-2015; and sustainable development — 2016-2048. The initial move involved setting the boundaries of the FEZ, and introducing

region its infrastructure. Next, relevant legislation was passed to regulate its activity, ensuring that it remains attractive to foreign and domestic investors. The first residents included the Republican Scientific Production Un i t a r y E nt e r p r i s e R at o n a n d Gomelcable JSC, alongside several foreign enterprises. By early 2001, 37 businesses had been registered, including 25 with foreign capital: 13 were foreign and 12 were joint ventures. Almost every FEZ resident began by developing ineffectively used industrial areas, most of which had been empty for years.

years of launch, of which 600 hectares were urban, including in Gomel’s northern industrial hub.

Time for change The FEZ has now entered its second phase of development (20062015), using 2,000 hectares in the Sozh flood plain. Several local industrial sites have been added, including the Production Association Crystal, Gomel Radio Plant and a number of construction companies. Some

No empty premises D oz e ns of t h ou s an d s of square metres were abandoned by industry giants in the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Chernobyl disaster. Technical personnel relocated and it became harder than ever to reestablish high-tech business. Now, the empty Korall warehouse is manufacturing PVC units, thanks to a joint foreign enterprise with German Becker-System. Another abandoned warehouse now houses Alcopack and Multipack (both using foreign capital) while foreign Kashtan and Intertapes are both building factories at Raton. The first head of the Gomel-Raton Zone, Vladimir Byk, tells us, “Investors who came with $20,000 in the first year are now generating $20m of goods annually and exporting around $1m per month.” The Gomel FEZ has attracted capital from 13 countries: Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, USA, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Israel, Poland, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan. By the end of the formation stage, there were 36 residents, including 14 domestic, 10 joint ventures and 12 foreign enterprises. About 5,400 people were employed at the Gomel-Raton FEZ, with foreign trade turnover of companies reaching over $650m. The FEZ covered 4,700 hectares in its early

new sites have opened near Gomel Chemical Plant and near Gomelavia airport, with the FEZ now covering 3,722 hectares (a slight fall in territorial coverage). The investment potential of the area has increased significantly, with several key players in residence. One of the Gomel-Raton FEZ’s administ rat ive managers, Alexander Skvortsov, notes that it has become a beacon of foreign investments in the region within a very short time, creating a foothold for successful business within a marketbased economy. Inclusion of new industrial sites has required the FEZ to attract foreign and domestic investors in new spheres and in new ways. Some investment projects have been offered ‘ready-made’ to potential investors, using new and old sites. This has brought in Russian private company Veza-G, which produces climate control equipment, as well as Belarusian MiGom, which makes elements for ventilated facades, roofing and water systems. In addition, Belarusian-Swiss Barpromex has launched production of cable reels and Turkish investors have started

production of electric-walled pipes and aluminium extrusions. To d a y ’s G o m e l - R a t o n F r e e Economic Zone has 77 residents, including 35 with foreign capital, from 15 countries — including Russia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, the United Kingdom, Austria, France and Iran. Impressively, goods produced within the FEZ are exported to 70 countries. Among these are diamond tools, precious metal items, packaging products, wires, cables, pipes, boilers, construction and finishing materials, furniture and hydraulic equipment. The current head of the FEZ, Antonina Yezhova, tells us, “We’re currently implementing a number of major investment projects, which are of great economic interest not only for the Gomel Region but for Belarus as a whole. For example, one is to produce gypsum and building materials, and multilayer barrier films. We’ll be making flexible hoses in stainless steel for export and import-substitution and we’re offering investors a wide range of co-operation in various fields. Sites are offered fully supplied with electricity, land and other resources, to help enterprises start up quickly. Since launching, the Gomel-Raton FEZ has attracted investments of $860m, including foreign capital of over $300m. The foreign trade turnover of FEZ resident companies has exceeded $4.5bn, with over 7,300 new jobs created; in all, about 35,000 people work at FEZ enterprises.

To be continued... The Gomel-Raton Free Economic Zone, having proven its solvency, is on the threshold of its third stage (2016 to 2048) when achievements will be consolidated and built upon, to maximise the FEZ’s contribution to the industrial-technological and socioeconomic development of the Gomel Region. The area now offers favourable conditions, experienced staff and an attractive business climate. By Violetta Dralyuk

2013 беларусь.belarus

competitive environment

Rules of game for trading market

nterestingly, Belarus is one of many countries facing a similar dilemma, having to decide whether large retailers must be taken in hand or allowed to develop freely. According to the Belarusian Statistical Committee, 392 markets operate in the country, with 19 specialising in food. In addition, 66 sell commodities and 12 animal and botanical goods. Most are of mixed character. There are 375 trading centres in Belarus, covering over 340,000 square metres. Up to 80 percent of all consumer purchases are conducted through trading networks in EU states. Many are alarmed not because these shops sell too many products, ‘stealing’ profit from smaller stalls, but because of the terms they press on suppliers. Trading networks run strict policies regarding supply terms, which cannot be met

беларусь.belarus 2013

In recent times, the behaviour of trading networks on the retail market has come under scrutiny. For quite a long time, nobody was troubled by the presence of large players but — as soon as businesses grew in scale — the issue of whether smaller outlets may be crowded out came into the limelight.

by small and medium-sized suppliers. Prices are also set very much to the advantage of these major buyers. A recent report by the CIS Executive Committee’s Interstate Council on Antimonopoly Policy clearly indicates that our CIS neighbours face similar problems. The share of large-scale trade in overall retail volumes is not huge in Belarus but it is growing annually by 2-5 percent (on average). However, it is worrying that the presence of hypermarkets may create problems for agricultural producers and food suppliers (who find themselves unable to meet supply terms). Needless to say, the presence of larger retailers can crowd out competition, leading ultimately to a rise in prices and, possibly, deterioration in the quality of products. ‘Traditional measures of anti-monopoly regulation enable competitive bodies to partially

eliminate problems which appear on the retail trade market. The presence of evident problems in regulating retail trade and the prompt development of trading networks indicates the necessity of special research of this economic sector by CIS antimonopoly bodies’, reads the report. Analysts advise that existing CIS legislation be amended to govern trading activity transparently, while eliminating unfair practice and pressure on counter-agents by trading networks and suppliers. It should remove excessive administrative barriers to trade and support small and medium-sized businesses in the field of food trade and production. Additionally, the Council recommends to activate the activity of competitive departments in regulating the retail trade sector. Belarusian legislation is already developing along this path, with a draft law on state regulation of trade and public catering currently being debated. It should be adopted later this year, featuring some new rules for retailers. By Yevgeny Velekhov

Alexander Ruzhechka

research

Income and expenditure One in four Belarusian families increased its spending power last year, with the number of those on low-incomes falling. Meanwhile, many managed to increase their savings.

appily, we’ve begun eating more fruit, fish and meat. In addition, there are now 94 computers per 100 families, according to a National Statistical Committee survey. Over a quarter of families taking part in the poll rated their financial situation positively, compared to 2011. Half of all families feel stable in their financial situation, while 24 percent feel that their financial situation has worsened.

Stability is all Among those families feeling that their financial situation has improved since 2011, 44 percent connect this with increased salaries; 30 percent mention increased pensions and benefits while 20.5 percent have gained a new or additional source of earnings. Inna Konoshonok, who heads the Department for Living Standards, Statistics and Family Surveys, at the National Statistical Committee, notes that 58 percent of families

mentioning a worsening in their financial situation comment on significant price rises; meanwhile, 9 percent of this group note that their salary has fallen. A further 9 percent explain that the birth of a child or loss of a breadwinner has affected their income. Finally, 7 percent connect their fall in income with retirement. Ms. Konoshonok notes that over half of respondents expect to see their level of financial security stay the same while one in ten are more pessimistic. A third believe that their financial situation will improve.

If you want a thing done well, do it yourself “Today, we’re seeing a significant increase in families’ savings,” says Ms. Konoshonok. “In 2012, deposits and savings rose on 2011 by almost 50 percent, comprising 9.5 percent of people’s income. Interestingly, 61 percent of those polled say their savings are kept in expectation of unexpected future expenditure; 30 percent plan to use their savings for repair or construction of property and 18 percent plan the purchase of consumer goods.”

In addition, the survey found that the number of those with incomes below the cost of living threshold is down on 2011 (6.3 percent compared to 7.3 percent). Last year saw the lowest figures of the last decade for large families being on low-incomes, thanks to the effective implementation of state social programmes. Curiously, the survey showed that, on finding themselves in a difficult financial situation, low-income families tend to follow certain strategies: a third try to increase their income by all possible means; half reduce their level of spending; just over 6 percent rely on state help; and another 6 percent turn to relatives for financial support.  Last year, in Russia, the average salary was $859. In Kazakhstan this stood at $678, in Azerbaijan at $504, in Belarus at $447 and, in Ukraine, the average salary was $379 — in equivalent.  At the end of last year, in Belarus, the average pension amounted to $220. In Russia, the figure was $302 and, in Ukraine, pensions stood at $184 — in equivalent.

2013 беларусь.belarus

rates are reduced

for modernization National Bank adopts decision anticipated by many since last December, lowering the refinancing rate

he refinancing rate currently stands at 28.5 percent, having dropped from 30 percent (as it stood for six months). The aim is to achieve macroeconomic balance and slow inflation but what else may the year bring in this vein?

Less is more? The economic collisions of previous years have seriously influenced the dynamics of the refinancing rate in Belarus. For example, in 2008, the

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average figure stood at a very modest 10.35 percent; it rose to 11.82 percent in 2010 and then reached 21.57 percent in 2011. By early 2011, it had been reduced to 10.5 percent but then shot up to a frightening 45 percent by the end of the year. Last year, the National Bank reduced the refinancing rate eight times and achieved 30 percent by September 2012; this year, 15 percent is the target for the Basic Areas of Monetary and Credit Policy. The country’s commercial banks use the refinancing rate in setting their own interest rates for loans to the

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Funds

private sector; the lower the refinancing rate, the lower the interest rates offered on loans to enterprises, organisations and the general public. If the refinancing rate is low, it’s easier to borrow money from banks and the volume of loans rises. Money is then spent on modernisation and the purchase of raw materials, creating more manufacturing of goods for export. Meanwhile, public access to loans for buying goods and services helps fuel the economy. “The current reduction in the refinancing rate, by 1.5 percent, will lead to a corresponding drop in rates on Rouble deposits and loans. In fact, interest rates may fall by even more than those for saving accounts. A month ago, the National Bank sent a letter recommending that the margin be kept within 3 percent,” explains financial analyst Vadim Iosub. “The National Bank is keen to avoid the situation seen in September-October 2012, when people transferred money from Rouble deposits into foreign deposits. Even with a reduction of 1.5 percent, interest rates on Rouble deposits remain far more attractive than those on foreign currency deposits.”

Zero decision A number of states keep their refinancing rate close to zero: in the USA, the figure is just 0.25 percent; in Japan, it’s 0.1 percent; and the Eurozone keeps it at a modest 0.75 percent. It doesn’t guarantee a healthy economy of course. “If the refinancing rate is zero, the state is offering ‘interest free’ money to economic entities; it tends to be done when enterprises are experiencing real economic difficulties. Nations reduce their refinancing rate to stimulate the economy,” notes financial expert Valery Polkhovsky. “A rate of 34 percent is considered to be healthy for the world’s leading economies; it helps the central bank keep inflation at around 2 percent per annum and the refinancing rate is placed slightly higher. This is the ideal situation and what we’d term healthy.”

services

Last year, Belarus faced the challenge of expanding production and increasing exports of goods, to keep goldand-currency reserves buoyant and strengthen the national currency. This aroused an acute need for affordable loans for the private sector. However, the National Bank won’t sharply reduce the refinancing rate, since this would lead to corresponding reduced interest rates on Belarusian Rouble loans and deposits, which could inspire people to place their savings in a foreign currency, creating a negative situation on the currency market.

Trend to continue On March 13th, the National Bank reduced the refinancing rate by 1.5 percent. “Actually, the situation in February and the forecast for further reduced inflation makes us hope for a gradual reduction in the nominal value of the refinancing rate, while preserving its positive real level,” notes the National Bank. In February, inflation fell to 1.2 percent (against 3 percent in January). “January inflation was rather high but it may have been due to price rises instigated by the state. These prices rises and, accordingly, inflation were ‘scheduled’,” comments Mr. Polkhovsky. How will the refinancing rate behave in the months to come? Experts believe that Belarus needs to keep to a strict monetary credit policy, keeping the cost of loans at least 3-5 percent above inflation. “In order to keep the refinancing rate at 13 percent we need to maintain inflation at 8-10 percent. However, definite pricing pressure exists, so it’s not effectual to focus only on this,” explains the analyst. At the same time, cheaper loans are necessary for the development of the economy, so experts are confident that the trend of reducing the refinancing rate will continue. By Valery Rushevsky

Vitaliy Gil

Searching for a compromise

Family of regular customers Over a million discount cards held by Belarusians today

iscount programmes are powerful weapon in the battle for customer loyalty, regardless of your business niche. Even pharmacies, beauty salons and car service centres are offering customer discount schemes these days, besides traditional shops. Of course, there is psychological pleasure in gaining a ‘bargain’ and such moves certainly generate additional turnover for businesses. However, some discounts only become applicable once a customer has spent a large sum, making them out of reach for many. This two-tier system is leaving some citizens out in the cold, cynical about supposed discounts. The first discount schemes appeared in the USA in the 1930-40s, as entrepreneurs endeavoured to encourage customers to ‘invest’ money into their businesses and banks tried to attract new customers by liaising with shops, restaurants and cafes to offer membership discounts. Later, in the 1980s, loyalty programmes really took off, especially for airlines, with their famous bonus miles schemes. These days, few larger shops fail to offer some sort of loyalty card — espe-

cially those within a chain. Last year, Belarusians spent half of their income on food, so supermarkets are especially keen to ‘hook’ their fish in this competitive market. Retailers battle for customers by offering low prices, loyalty discounts and a host of special offers. The main goal of any loyalty programme is to make customers feel proud of their membership, with an element of prestige. In fact, the idea is more effective than direct advertising. Attracting new customers is far from cheap, costing 3-5 times more than keeping your existing ones. Meanwhile, those with loyalty cards are carrying a constant advert, visible to friends and family. Discount cards are one of the most effective tools in creating a network of regular customers. Ownership of a discount card also affects consumers’ behaviour: more than a third will postpone purchase of an item if the expected discount is significant and they don’t have their card with them. Just under a third will delay their purchase until they have their card with them even where the saving is quite small. Chain store owners are ever planning new loyalty programmes to reflect changing trends in the market. Naturally, not all those who own cards become regular customers of a particular outlet or enterprise but it becomes more likely that they’ll return. As to whether customers actually save money in doing so is another question. By Marina Dorokhova

2013 беларусь.belarus

Context

Interactive ‘cheat sheet’ New mobile application shows where to dispose of recyclable materials and dangerous waste

Fitting of solar panels

Megawatts of solar energy

he Centre for Environmental S olut i ons l au n ch e d B e l ar u s’ mobile version of the Green Map project a few months ago, being one of the first with an eco-focus. Programmer Sergey Sadovnikov’s application for phones using an Android operating system is able to locate the nearest place for recycling, as well as for disposal of dangerous waste and unwanted items. “We expect this mobile service to expand the audience of Green Map and attract attention towards the issue of waste and chemical safety,” notes the director of the Centre for Environmental Solutions, Yevgeny Lobanov.

First solar electric power plants being built in Bragin in Gomel Region

olar power has been viewed as no more than a gimmick by Belarusians for a long time. Nevertheless, Canada, Japan and Germany have long been using solar power to generate electricity and, in fact, our first solar electric power plant will launch this August. In Bragin — the sunniest region of Belarus — the first megawatts of electricity are to be produced from sunlight, thanks to an Irish investor providing 15 million Euros for the project. Originally, it was planned to construct generators near the town of Komarin, 50km from Bragin, but the construction site had to be changed. “There are two electrical substations, so we planned to set up everything there,” explains the Deputy Chairman of Bragin District Executive Committee, Piotr Romanyuk. “However, it was

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prohibited to generate energy there; due to its proximity to Ukraine.” As soon as possible, another two sites were allocated: one near the former airport, and the other in the village of Soboli. “It’s a great alternative to thermal or hydro power,” comments Mr. Romanyuk. “This solar station will produce electricity at a rate of 16MW while consumption in our area is just 2-3MW. Moreover, it’s environmentally friendly, producing no harmful emissions.” How will the plant look? An area of nearly 20 hectares will be fully fenced and have a video surveillance system. High columns will be fitted with solar panels, with many mirrors set around them to maximise the reflected sunlight. According to Mr. Romanyuk, it will actually emphasise the most beautiful landscapes of the Bragin District. By Tatiana Pastukhova

The new application has roused great interest among Internet users. Waste recycling and disposal sites in Polotsk, Novopolotsk and Slonim have already joined Minsk and Grodno, with Brest and Gomel next to take part. “I’m glad that not only regional centres have joined our initiative. People in small towns are aware of the importance of the waste problem and we invite everyone to join this ‘green’ movement. Place your city on the interactive map,” emphasises Mr. Lobanov. Download the mobile application free of charge from greenmap.by.

Context

Air transportation increases by more than 25 percent but ‘terrestrial’ options remain competitive

ccording to the National Statistical Committee of Belarus, passenger air transport has risen in volume by 27 percent, while trains have increased their passengers by 1.5 percent and bus transportation has fallen in popularity by 3.5 percent. These figures are an impartial indictor of the recovery of the domestic economy and growing competition within the transport branch.

Dialogue without problems Belarusian Railways prepares special phrase books in English, German and French for staff

“T

Vadim Kondrashov

Trains, buses and planes “High road transport competition has been observed previously,” notes the Chairman of the Belarusian Association of Experts and Transport Surveyors, Yury Vazhnik. “It’s been difficult for buses to compete with the railway, which offers competitive prices for passenger transportation. However, prices for railway tickets have risen slightly and air travel is now another viable option for longdistance journeys.” Actually, the number of transit passengers flying through Belarus is constantly growing, while the National Belavia Airline continues to promote special offers. For example, a flight to Sochi can be bought for as little as 146 Euros (Br1,600,000 — compared to Br1.6-1.8 million by train, which takes

he editions should help our employees to overcome language barriers in communicating with foreign passengers. They’ll be particularly useful for carriage guards and personnel at railway stations,” notes the Press Service of Belarusian Railways. “The phrase books’ topics will relate to aspects of rail travel and the circulation numbers will be guided by staff needs.”

over two days). Belavia’s Moscow-Minsk route costs as little as 77 Euros (Br860,000 —compared to Br720,000-Br1m by train, which rises to Br1.5-2 million for a private compartment). Bus and coach drivers have no need to worry, since bus journeys still account for the lion’s share of passenger transportations: 94.5 percent. Of 122.5 million people transported in Belarus this January, 115.8 million took buses, as they remain the most ‘all-pervading’ and are competitively priced, compared to the railway. A night flight from Minsk to Moscow costs about Br335,000 at present, while the cheapest economy class coach journey by day costs Br380,000. It’s great to have choice. By Mikhail Osokin

The phrase books are being released as part of preparations for the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk. Belarusian Railways has been studying the experience of other countries which have hosted similar sports events; Ukraine also released a phrase book for its railway workers. In addition, rail workers are to receive foreign language lessons in advance of the 2014 event.

2013 беларусь.belarus

world championship — 2014

minsk to meet hospitably What is needed for the IIHF World Championship? A well-known expert answers, almost without thinking, “Places for hockey players to live and play! All else will follow...”

ccommodation has already been chosen in Minsk. Not so long ago, one of the city’s problems was its lack of comfortable hotels. The Planeta, Yubileinaya, Belarus and Minsk left something to be desired. Now, a Yandex search provides a list of 135 ‘hotels in Minsk’. Of course, not all are located in the centre of the capital, and not all deserve the status of ‘comfortable’, but they help to solve the problem of accommodation significantly. Visitors can choose the star rating which suits their budget and taste. Hockey stars are known for being p ar t i c u l ar ab out t he i r accommodation — particu-

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larly the more famous ones. However, Minsk’s hotels feel certain that they can rise to the occasion, catering for the star hockey players of the leading teams worldwide. There are no problems with hotels of the highest category! The World Championship Directorate already has a list of places ready to host the 16 teams in the World Championship 2014. The list is no secret so fans will easily be able to find out where their favourite team is staying. There are not so many top hotels in Minsk...

world championship — 2014

Project of Chizhovka-Arena

The formula for the World Cup 2014 has not yet been approved: whether it retains the same ‘2 to 8’ or will be held in ‘4 to 4’ format will be decided at the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) Congress, in May 2013, during the World Championship. We do know that there will be 16 teams competing from 9th to 25th May, 2014.

Where to play? Our championship will gather the most fans, compared to previous events. Since the World Championship in 2006 in Riga (the best for our team to date, gaining 6th place) all following championships have been held in two cities or, even, countries. This time, all 64 games are to be played in the same city, across two arenas located

not too far apart — only about 15km on the ring road. The main ice rink is Minsk-Arena, which already boasts a record atten-

dance of 17,100 people, despite having only 15,000 official seats (who knows where the other 2,100 people were). The record occurred for the gala concert performance of the World Junior Figure Skating Championships, on March 4th, 2012. There will be considerably fewer p l a c e s for f ans at t h e Ho c ke y Championship: no more than 15,000, with 300 seats set aside for the media and another 300 for 50 commentary positions. Meanwhile, some seats will be reserved for VIPs within the International Ice Hockey Federation, members of the IIHF Congress, commercial sponsors and so on. Many VIP guests will also bring their spouses. The rules of the World Championship also state that space must be set aside within the stadium seating to display two Skoda cars: Skoda being the main sponsor of the championship. There will also be seating for 100 photographers and two cameras taking up 20 seats each near the ice. About 3,500 seats will be already spoken for at both arenas... Of course, it’s a pity to withdraw tickets from sale, as the Championship needs to cover its costs through ticket sales, but regulations must be followed. We know everything about Minsk Arena, but Chizhovka-Arena won’t be ready for opening until late summer 2013. It’s interesting to know what it will look like.

The hotels chosen for the ice hockey stars and other officials are as follows:          

Garni Hotel — 55 places/49 rooms Victoria-1 Hotel — 193 places/169 rooms Victoria-2 Hotel — 395 places/277 rooms Victoria Olymp Hotel — 310 places/221 rooms Europe Hotel — 85 places/67 rooms President Hotel — 191 places/140 rooms Minsk Hotel — 304 places/239 rooms Mospromstroy Hotel — 528 places/264 rooms Crown Plaza Hotel — 167 places/115 rooms Robinson Club — 77 places/53 rooms

2013 беларусь.belarus

world championship — 2014

How does Stockholm prepare? It’s always a good idea to look at how others have organised events, so a Belarusian delegation visited the capital of Sweden to see how the Swedish Organising Committee is hosting the World Championship (for the second year in a row). Even though there are only three months before the Championship begins, there are no posters or billboards advertising the event anywhere. Not even the arena has publicity but the Swedish committee is absolutely calm, greeting us with a smile and friendliness. They’re ready to help anyone, offering plans, diagrams, drawings, photographs, excursions and consultations. They give complete answers to all questions and detailed advice. Attempts to purchase souvenirs of the World Championship in 2013 prove unsuccessful in Stockholm. Fans faced the same problem in Finland last year. The matter is out of the hands of the countryorganiser; an agreement w it h a c om m e rc i a l partner of the IIHF — Infront Company — only allows organisers to produce and sell souvenirs with the championship logo for a certain period (but not items bearing the mascot). Three months before the start of the World Championship,

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the hosts must stop production of logoed goods. Infront chooses the official supplier of souvenirs bearing the mascot, giving exclusive rights to production, distribution, promotion, sale and advertising. The Organising Committee charges a fee for this right of course. We hope that all the souvenirs will arrive in Minsk in good time and in sufficient quantity.

Logo and mascot Belarus is hosting the IIHF World Championship in 2014, having been granted the honour in May 2009. However, Belarus’ Ice Hockey Federation Association announced a competition for the best logo ‘Minsk-2014’ early in 2008. Over 200 entries were received, with Victoria Adamovich’s simple design claiming victory; it’s easily recognisable, seen on souvenirs and printed materials, on public transport, and on posters and billboards. Enterprises can gain permission to use the logo on their products after submitting an application to the Championship’s Directorate (also approved by the International Ice Hockey Federation). At the Cycling World Championship, several enterprises sold products with distorted versions of the symbol for the Ice Hockey Championship, so the matter is being tackled very seriously. As for the World Championship mascot, 40

entries were received but Minsk designer Vitaly Ortyukh’s bison came out on top. Only the Directorate has the right to use the mascot for advertising the World Championship — and only on printed materials rather than on consumer goods or souvenirs. The mascot belongs to the IIHF.

Firm style A whole advertising agency is working on the style of the World Championship, including a graphic concept, communication ideas and a slogan: in three phases. The first has already been completed, with graphics chosen for billboards, banners, letterheads, envelopes and places selling World Championship souvenirs. In fact, a few billboards and banners are already placed along busy roads. The second phase is almost complete, covering designs for urban transport and new billboards and banners. There are also sketches of tickets and advertising bills. The third phase (by June 1st, 2013) covers posters for matches, passes for cars, postcards, flyers, banners and so on. The whole design concept is that the event is a multifaceted holiday. The designs use a photograph of bright festive columns and light blue ice crystals. The word ‘holiday’ features everywhere and the multifaceted nature of the event is shown through a kaleidoscope of emotions, cultures, languages and impressions! The Championships slogan is ‘Together, we make a holiday!’ Of course, we hope that our team will play well, giving us reason to celebrate! By Piotr Ryabukhin

world championship — 2014

Tickets available from September

Comfortable accommodation for all pockets

Organisers determine ticket costs for 2014 IIHF World Championship

About a thousand additional staff to be taken on by hotels for IIHF World Championship next year

Partners remain pleased

uring the championship, being held in the Belarusian capital, 12 student dormitories are to welcome guests and participants of the competitions, However, additional administrative and service personnel is needed to ensure these work as budget hotels offering accommodation for even modest pockets. It’s planned to form student brigades, which will comprise of around a thousand people, and administration of hostels will be also involved. In all, 22 operating hotels, alongside those launching by the end of this year, will welcome fans and teams participating in the championship, coaches, journalists and judges. New facilities include a second extension to the Victoria Hotel, buildings housing the National Olympic Committee and two hotels in the historical centre of Minsk. About 40 projects are being implemented in the capital of Belarus relating to hotel construction, doubling the city’s accommodation capacity. The Department of Consumer and Hotel Services of Minsk City Executive Committee is looking forward to significant tourism growth. To attract tourists to the Belarusian capital, a simplified visa regime is being offered for the major sporting tournament.

leg Mikhailov, the Head of the TsentrKurort Centre for Sanatorium Work, under the Presidential Property ManagementDirectorate,hasannounced that tickets for the 2014 Ice Hockey Championship, being hosted by Minsk, will be priced from as little as 10 Euros. Speaking at a presentation regarding the World Championship, hosted by the Belarusian Embassy to Moscow, he added that tickets are to cost 250 Euros for final matches. He underlined, “These are preliminary figures but everyone should understand that, if we make tickets too expensive, we may see the same situation

Škoda representatives view preparations for 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk

delegation from the Infront Sports & Media Marketing Agency (an IIHF commercial partner) has joined those from Škoda (an IIHF official general sponsor) in visiting Belarus, to assess progress in preparing for the event in Minsk. The Ice Hockey Championship is to be held in Minsk from May 9th-25th, 2014.

as was observed during the London Olympics: half-empty stands.” Mr. Mikhailov added that the sale of tickets should kick off around September, on sale from box offices and online. To avoid speculation, special agreements are being signed with foreign partners regarding sale of tickets abroad.

The guests toured Minsk Arena to study seating arrangements, considering the approximate location for the Škoda cars which are to go on display, and looking at the premises set aside for use by Skoda representatives during the Championship. Other issues relating to the 2014 IIHF World Championship Škoda promot i on c amp ai g n we re a ls o discussed, including the official op ening of a new showro om in Minsk in April and the organisation of a Motor Show in the Belarusian capital in May.

2013 беларусь.belarus

sport infrastructure

Flying saucer landed in Borisov A unique football stadium of the European level opens in the city by the end of summer

AT E c l u b’s n e w football stadium is expected to become a centre of Borisov’s sporting life, attracting keen football fans with its comfortable conditions.

Sports sites The new BATE stadium is situated outside Borisov but access won’t be a problem for fans, since a railway passes nearby, in addition to the Borisov-Minsk highway. The location aims to stop residents being bothered by noise.

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Despite cold weather, construction works are in full swing and the framework is almost ready. Builders admit that, when warm days arrive, they’ll be able to work twice as fast. “We’ll soon finish assembly of the reinforced concrete structures; just one span of bleachers is yet to be completed,” explains Vitaly Losevich, from Construction Department #123. “As regards industrial assembly of metal constructions, we’ve done half of the job and plan to complete the work by late March. Afterwards, the roof will be ready and we’ll start decoration works — including the instalment of a glass window.”

Seven parking lots are ready and approach roads will soon be finished, once the asphalt is laid. Already, seats for fans are installed in the stadium. Walls, stairs and cross-walls are to be made from high quality concrete, without plaster, to ensure durability and long term attractiveness.

Unique idea It’s a unique site for B elarus: the 13,000-seater stadium being designed by a Slovenian firm. It made a similar construction previously, which it has adapted to suit Belarusian norms and rules.

rating Oval-shaped, with a natural grass pitch, and heating and watering systems to allow play in cold weather, as well as light aluminium roofing over seating, the design will bring comfort, safety and perfect acoustics. The stadium’s roof and facade are to resemble snakeskin. Mr. Losevich explains, “Special German technology is being used, with our specialists going to Germany to study facade and roof elements and their strapping.” The aluminium face is to be painted black (covering facade holes), while roof ‘scales’ will be ‘etched’ to create the snake effect.

Complicated ‘filling’

“Over my sporting career — especially the past three years, when I’ve acted as a UEAE delegate — I’ve seen many stadiums, including those of less outstanding clubs and sporting nations. I kindly praised them all,” notes Mr. Vorobiev. “I think our country — which has glorious football traditions and pays much attention to sports — is worthy of enjoying well developed infrastructure; this functional and unique stadium is a bright example. It will soon act as an example for other construction projects, inspiring fans and co-operation with national and local authorities and football businesses.”

Through city gates to hockey nets Belarusian Railways updating its lines to three cities in time for 2014 IIHF World Championship

ailway stations in Minsk, Brest and Grodno are being revamped, as are those located near large sporting facilities countrywide. In March, Belarusian Railways’ experts and managers took a familiarisation tour of facilities in Poland and Finland to see how major sporting events are supported by rail travel, including security at stations and on passenger trains.

Inside the top-ten World Travel and Tourism Council releases a list of countries with the most dynamically developing tourist sector (based on 2012 results)

“The Borisov stadium is not just a commercial project. It’ll be a centre for the region’s social-cultural life and a football capital of Belarus,” notes BATE’s Deputy General Director for Technical Issues, Nikolay Vorobiev.

The construction has four levels, with two upper ‘floors’ of VIP lounges and halls, offices for stadium heads and infrastructure for media representatives. Security has been well thought out, offering e-access (to calculate fans in real time). A control room will be equipped with displays, for security service officers, policemen, rescuers and doctors. “This will be the best Belarusian stadium,” confirms a BATE representative. “As it will lack a running track, just 15-20 metres will separate fans in the first rows from the pitch; they’ll ‘face’ the game. We’ve done our best to ensure comfort for players as well as fans, with separate rooms for players, coaches and referees, as well as special entry for photographers, seats for express interviews and free Wi-Fi.”

he compilers of the rating explain that the share of tourism revenues in the GDP of these states was growing most quickly last year and Belarus was placed sixth in this rating. Last year, Belarus increased its share of global tourist revenue, seeing growth of almost 40 percent on its 2012 figures: a record $960m, comprising over 2 percent of GDP. The tourist services market rose by 11 percent last year.

By Dmitry Krymov

2013 беларусь.belarus

event

Alexander Ruzhechka

Premiere in renewed theatre The reopening of the Kupala Theatre in Minsk after its reconstruction was long-awaited; the company is at last reunited with its home stage, now updated with the latest professional equipment. Work was undertaken at the President’s instruction and he attended a performance recently to see the results.

r. Lukashenko toured t he up d ate d ha l ls, which boast everything necessary — including the troupe’s wonderful new rehearsal stage, which is the same size as the main stage and with much of the same equipment. In fact, TV employees are already making requests to film drama at the new venue; this could generate extra funds for the Theatre, helping it become self-sustaining, as the President pointed out. In support of this, the Theatre is exempt from taxation, while still receiving state attention. Mr. Lukashenko attended the premiere of the traditional performance of Paulinka, which annually opens the season. Despite repairs to the Kupala Theatre building in recent years, the troupe has

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maintained its high level and number of performances, showing that it can work under any conditions. While resident in the House of Officers and the Palace of Trade Unions, the company welcomed full houses and extended its repertoire to include The Abduction of Europe (by Ursula Radziwill) and a new staging of Martin McDonagh’s Lonesome West — a tragicomedy. Its premieres included Gogol’s Night Before Christmas (a comedic work close to the literary original) and Yelena Popova’s staging of Andersen’s Leaf Fall. Alexander Gartsuev’s People of the Marsh (based on Ivan Melezh’s story), the ironic Local Cabaret and the fashionable yet perceptive Office have all joined the repertoire. Few would argue that the Kupala Theatre sets the standard for others to

follow, having so many times proven its talent and enduring success over these years of disruption. The Theatre’s Artistic Leader, Nikolay Pinigin, notes, “I’m a traditional person and don’t believe that drama is synonymous with high-technology. Theatre is about more than light entertainment: it portrays real human emotions. We’ll never rival Broadway, which generates millions of Dollars and has similar amounts invested in its performances, reproducing swimming pools, palaces, fire and lava. We certainly have some innovations to share with theatre goers though. We’ll surely always enjoy full houses. Our temporary halls seated thousands while there are only 360 seats in our own auditorium.”

event In April, three performances are showing on the Kupala Theatre’s new stage: Paulinka, Dinner with Nuts and Pinsk Gentry. The House of Officers, the House of Trade Unions and Minsk Concert Hall will also continue staging performances. The premiere in the newly opened building was a clear success. After the curtains fell, applause resounded for some time, showing the audience’s admiration. Actors from all over the country attended, alongside famous cultural figures and the President, who was received by the theatrical troupe on stage. Mr. Lukashenko took a microphone from centre stage to the edge, to avoid obscuring the artistes, as the ‘true’ hosts. It was obvious that their performance had moved and impressed him. He admitted, “On the eve of coming here, I felt as anxious as a schoolboy. I’ve spent half of my life in politics, often speaking in public, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the theatre. A special occasion was needed after such a long period.” Of course, surely, no better occasion than the opening of the renewed Kupala Theatre could be found. Work continues and Mr. Lukashenko has promised to see renovations completed within the next 18 months. He noted the

large funds spent on reconstruction but believes that the investment will help the troupe give their best, bringing pleasure to the public. “If you continue to give performances of this calibre, all expenditure will be fully compensated. The public, whose taxes we’ve spent on this restoration, will become your audience,” the Head of State added. Naturally, other theatres await renovation and the President has asserted that state support will be forthcoming. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the troupe, saying, “Thank you for bringing me to the theatre after a long break. Now, I can attend any theatre.” Once the hall had emptied, the President chatted with the troupe, and was requested to visit more often. Mr. Lukashenko couldn’t promise to visit once a month — as asked — but has promised to attend premieres. His warm, informal conversation tackled many aspects: elevated a n d e a r t h l y, including the role of art and drama

within society and its particular significance in Belarus. Naturally, the subject of funding arose. Fortunately, Belarusian theatre is quite well provided for, but some issues will always exist. However, these are solvable: through the theatre’s own effort and with steady state support. It was promised that support from the state will continue, but the troupe is asked to keep staging thrilling performances, such as Paulinka, to encourage full houses. In fact, the Yanka Kupala’s Paulinka celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. The latest staging of Paulinka uses new costumes and a new cast: Marta Golubeva and Yekaterina Aleinikova are outstanding in the lead role of romantic yet stubborn Paulinka, intent on marrying against her parents’ wishes. Marta played the role for the premiere, with Ms. Aleinikova also bubbling with excitement. She tells us, “Playing the role of Paulinka is to climb the summit of stage art, since the country’s best a c t re s s e s h ave played the part over the past 70 years. We’ve given the new staging a bright, youthful and buoyant mood, which I hop e audiences will enjoy. It is ou r ve rs i on of the legendar y performance.”

Belta

By Dmitry Kryat, Viktoria Popova

2013 беларусь.belarus

THEATRE actors

Life in

paradise and beyond

Vitaliy Gil

She was such a wonderful Paulinka in the performance at the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre: feminine, smart and charming… Those who saw Honoured Artiste of Belarus Zoya Belokhvostik play this role as a student realised immediately that she was unique. 32

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remember admirers speaking of her as a diamond and they were right. Zoya’s stage presence, even in those early days, confirmed her as a world class actress, certainly worthy of the MKhAt training. However, her roots tied her strongly to Belarus. She absorbed the culture of several acting generations and was taught by outstanding Belarusian teachers and actors: Galina Makarova, Pavel Kormunin, Zinaida Brovarskaya, Lilia Davidovich and Gennady Ovsyannikov. I can’t forget how easily Zoya moved at that time and with what charm she sang; she danced beautifully and raised her eyes as if looking into the depths of the soul. A small smile would play on her lips and she held herself with dignity, as would any noble girl. Of course, she inherited acting genes from her great grandfather, grandfather and father but she also had great determination and diligence. Her playing of Paulinka developed each year, over 16 years, and she would surely have continued longer had not her mother, Olga Glebova, urged her to move on. Zoya knew this to be good advice, despite her stage director being happy for her to continue in the role. Valery Raevsky was very reluctant to allow her to transfer the role to Svetlana Zelenkovskaya. Zoya’s life has revolved around acting and creativity. Of course, the theatre now has a new building and Zoya cannot know what her role will be in the future but her fans remain loyal. She has delighted us in People of the Marsh, Not Mine, Dinner with Nuts, The Boor, Kolyady Night, Cabaret and The Black Lady of Nesvizh. However, she is sad that the repertoire now doesn’t include some of her favourite performances: Idyll, Bloody Mary, Ivona, The Princess of Burgundy and Vanyushin’s Children. As the theatre re-opens, it has just three performances being staged, since it will take time to master the new stage equipment. Zoya has been teaching at the Academy of Arts, as well as performing in To Drink, to Sing, to Cry: an uplifting performance directed by

actors talented young Katya Ogorodnikova. She plays a leading role, revealing one person’s destiny to the audience. Of course, Ms. Belokhvostik understands that there are no small roles; actors are sometimes obliged to reluctantly retire from big roles (a ‘standstill’). Accordingly, they must show strength of character and professionalism. Zoya believes that maturity brings understanding that we create our own happiness and that it’s impossible to love others if we close our heart too readily. She also admits that we must find other motivations to drive us once the passion of youth is past. Ms. Belokhvostik has faith that age brings with it an ability to ponder life more closely and our role in the wider world, choosing priorities for our remaining time on Earth. I’m convinced that Zoya has many wonderful roles ahead and will remain happy, nurturing all that is positive.

Childhood, dreams… My peaceful childhood lasted until my grandfather was alive and this was truly life in paradise. After that, another life began connected with lots of obligations. It was another world in which words ‘it’s necessary’ and ‘you should’ sometimes deprived me of smile… I don’t remember that unless I was six adults forced me to do something. I — left to the four winds — lived in the state of happiness when you understand subconsciously that everyone loves you and you love everyone. A separate history is connected with each of my family members — mother, father, grandmother and grandfather — in which the melody of love was and continues to be a keynote. As soon as I think about that distant time our summer cottage and images connected with it appear in my mind. I speak with everything that is growing, lying under my feet or moving… The huge surrounding world is alive and fascinating. I remember my room with dolls, drawings and moulding. I also recollect in mind the flower bed with phloxes and it seems that I as if fell their

THEATRE

aroma and feel how skin on my palms is dried up because of the ground in which I potter in order to find a hidden place for my ‘secret’. Then after lying phlox flowers heads I cover them with a piece of glass and powder with ground and begin to foretaste how I will show this beauty later to those whom I love. I also hear the singing of birds and the noise of leaves… Among this sunny splendour with overwhelming green colours of summer I see him — the major hero of my story — my grandfather. This is my legendary grandfather Gleb Glebov — the pride of Belarusian acting school… However, at that time I didn’t know this. For me another thing is important: that is playing with him. My grandfather was very plastic and moved easily while constantly showing me various improvisations and I guess who he is at that moment: a tea pot, a hair or a rook. I also show something myself… In our games the grandfather was often my son and I put him at the corner, forced to creep under the table and fed him with porridge from leaves and flowers. He did everything and behaved according to proposed circumstances. Interestingly, but then I didn’t want to play similar games with children. Of course, this wasn’t the level of People’s Artiste of the Soviet Union who was called a great improvisator. Later I understood that when the grandfather was playing with me he was already death sick. My grandmother was a strict person and I associate books, fairytales and literature with it. We were reading and speaking much… The Kupala Theatre actors often visited our home and the grandmother offered them to eat red-beet soup or cakes… I remember how I was standing close to her and kneading my dough and was moulding my own cookies. I’d like to return into this paradise world in order to get that state of the soul when everything brought joy. I’d like to do everything I want: to travel, to experience the unknown, to bring my dreams into life, even if they’re not connected with my actor’s profession. I’m

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THEATRE actors confident that dreams come true only if a person does something in this direction. Nothing has been ever easy to me and nothing has ever fallen under my feet. Everything that arrived into my life was due to my hard labour. My mother and father [Valentin Belokhvostik — People’s Artiste of Belarus] worked hard… My g re at g randfat her in my mother’s line was an actor and worked at the Kropyvnytsky’s Theatre [Marko Kropyvnytsky is Ukrainian playwright, actor and director] but then became a railway engineer in order to earn the life of his family. So, this ‘infectious disease’ — acting profession — comes from there… My mother has always been and remains to be the greatest authority in my life, as well as in my thoughts and recollections. I’ve always listened to her judgments, analysis and criticism of my acting works. Vocalists and teachers enjoyed working with her — a brilliant concertmaster and musician. Moreover, she was a very delicate person, as well as smart and loving and boasted a good taste. She always made remarks very softly and carefully. We used to go to rest by car to Odessa and to the Crimea… My father and automobile was some integral unit. I remember his confident hands holding the steering wheel and his white-teeth smile... He didn’t have any car accident during his whole life. Paulinka is my greatest impression from the theatre and my grandfather playing Pustarevich in it. I didn’t like that my grandfather was offended in this role and was beaten there. When Agata began to beat my grandfather I cried at the top of my voice for the whole audience hall: ‘You can’t beat my grandfather!’ I was immediately withdrawn from the audience hall and didn’t appear there unless I understood that it’s necessary to sit silent there. I’ve known since I was 4 years that I would be an actress, so I was always in the forefront at all parties in the kindergarten and school. This was as naturally for me as to breathe. Everyone knew

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who were my grandfather and my father. I studied at elite school #30 in Minsk’s centre and our class was wonderful and very friendly. In total these were children of intelligent parents and grandparents, so were brought up without complexes. Anyway, it sometimes seemed to me that teachers who were teaching exact sciences scorned me — an absolute humanitarian. However, I learnt later that they understood that I wouldn’t need exact sciences in my life and my rating was high.

Dynasty Belonging to a dynasty of actors brought great responsibility; I felt it as a burden for some time. My daughter Valentina is in the same position, being the fourth generation. I constantly felt that I mustn’t let down either my grandfather or my father. This lasted until I gained some recognition; I then stopped feeling the need to prove my talent in my own right. As the years pass, your insistence on high personal standards grows. You become aware of what you need and what you can achieve. However, you also need to be flexible, adapting to various situations. Personal appearance is important, since you are always presenting an image: on stage and off. I dress for comfort and beauty but especially like to dress up glamorously, with evening make-up and jewellery. I like this side of being an actress and try to look the part. I also enjoy looking pretty at home, as I was brought up to do so. I’m not currently in my most creative period; it may just be a time to ‘survive’. It’s not that I don’t have offers of work, as I’m involved in performances, but I’m seeking something more, feeling that I have the power and experience to do so. Probably, the theatre’s restoration is to blame. Fortunately, it is finished and we’re open again. Maybe, the time will come when more favourable, serious performances are available to me. Meanwhile, the Arts Academy is also undergoing reconstruction; it’s like a ‘natural disaster’, with rehearsals and classes in rooms scattered

all over the city. The usual educational process has been disturbed, so problems arise for the creative process. No matter what anyone says, I’m convinced that this does influence our quality of work. Paulinka is my ‘child’: my first role on the Kupala Theatre stage. Today’s renewed Paulinka, with new actors, is a completely different performance. I’m introverted, yet have become more open as the years have passed. I’m open with my relatives and friends and with those whom I trust and want to help. I’m always open with students and even a stranger may arouse reciprocal feelings in me, if they are kind and sincere. I’m very strict with myself and others but especially demanding of myself — sometimes to my own detriment. With age has come wisdom in thinking before I speak and being more diplomatic. Some take criticism to heart and some can be greatly offended. I believe that we must preserve our dignity. I see those close to me as being encircled in a sunny aura of green and yellow. I think that all those with pure hearts are the same.

Profession There’s something in acting profession which doesn’t depend either on one’s own talent or belonging to some dynasty. I was told this by my father when he looked through my diploma performances. Although he saw an actress in me he told me not to indulge a vain hope and to remember that there’s always luck and success in the acting fate. Moreover, it may happen that a truly good actor may find themselves in the ‘restricted zone’ for some reason and I’m grateful to my father for his lessons: none of us is secured from this. Everything I was taught at the institute was useful to me in my work with students. I know how to behave and not to behave with them. However, sometimes it may happen that what you invent when preparing for my lessons may not come in useful, as you deal with personalities. The apprehension that you master the profession came to me at the institute

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Vadim Kondrashov

actors

during the diploma performances. Although it wasn’t sustainable, I really felt this and believed that I’m able to play. I performed in the drama which I’ve composed myself relying on Chekhov’s stories. Moreover, I played in Čapek’s Mother and Zoya in Turgenev’s On the Eve. Meanwhile, my acting life has both rises and falls of the tide. Sometimes before the performance I feel uncertainty; however, as soon as I’m involved in action my forces strengthen and I feel perfect myself. Something may dissatisfy in the partner during the performance but I won’t tell this. I think that if they did something, e.g. forgot the text, they couldn’t so otherwise. This happens with everyone and it can’t be explained. If an actor is awaken at night they will tell you the whole role but are able to have brain freeze on the stage. Before the start of the performance I sit and check all key moments: God forbid to forget the text. Everything may happen and the words will be forgotten. This is terrible! In this

situation the most important is not to glaze over and to continue telling with your own words. If this is a compound sentence where improvisation is impossible, this is awful. However, actors always find the way out from this situation and their partners help them and prompt. Spectators don’t notice such things but for us, actors, this is a true shock. I like my stage partners as they are and I don’t complain. As you have such a partner than you deserve such. However, that actor is good who is able to give everything to the partner and doesn’t follow your playing. A great actor is talent and responsibility. As a rule, in life these are modest and doubtful people — not arrogant and puffed-up. They’re in constant search in profession, since they know that one can’t achieve something in it forever. I’m convinced that it’s necessary to move your legs even if you’re standing on one and the same place and to change all the time. As cells in the human body constantly divide, movement is every-

thing in acting profession. However, it is probably a guarantee of success in any other profession. It’s difficult to determine the level of your own talent but, fortunately, there’re other people who will do it. Communication with youngsters who live in another rhythm inspires to move constantly. The contact with young people enables me to clean in myself what has gathered dust. I look on their mistakes and discoveries, their ability to hungrily absorb the profession and revise something in myself. If I feel that I stagnate I begin to address books. During reading the answer to the question comes to me obligatory, but this happens so unexpectedly when I’m in despair to find the answer. I now read Chekhov and Tennessee Williams. When I rehearsed Paulinka it was very fearful. I started to tremble at night and opened the door of the Yanka Kupala Theatre with trembling hands. I don’t even remember how I reached the rehearsal room along the corridors.

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THEATRE actors

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Roles and rehearsals

Alexander Dmitriyev

I recollect with gratitude everyone who helped me. Everyone helped me: Galina Makarova, Zinaida Rynkovich and Pavel Kormunin whom I called uncle Pasha, cherished memory to them. He was especially tactful and could whisper his advice to the ear so silently as if it weren’t not him. I don’t like when youngsters are taught with an instructional tone not understanding that they offend their personality in this way and I try not to do this myself. Youth is freshness and novelty. Even if youngsters make mistakes in trifles there’s what we can learn from them. Trifles can be corrected. There’re also grey paints in acting profession: this is when an actor is less involved in the theatre due to some reasons. Time moves on inexorably and a feeling appears that the theatre doesn’t need you and self-criticism and depression begin… The crisis has entered my life with the theatre’s repairs, since many of performances, where I was involved in big roles, were removed from the repertoire. Yes, you shoot in cinema and teach and, of course, may be greatly involved in some other projects; however, this doesn’t bring that joy which gives drama theatre. Nothing can replace the work in the theatre. Some theatres have promising plans and actors are aware that intensive work will begin in a year or two although now they my experience stagnation. So, they quietly live and wait for their wonderful roles. I hope it won’t pass by me too in the nearest future. The actor’s professional luggage is a strong voice, good diction and an ear for music. Of course, the most important is stage charm. Its components are naturalness in communication with stage partners, the ability to capture them with your one’s own feelings and thoughts and the ability to observe life and embody its bright features on the stage. I greatly enjoy when these features are present in a student, although maybe in their infant state. Then I think that some theatre will be lucky and a great individuality will grow up. Some immediately make a name for themselves brightly

There’re many items in the Belarusian acting school worth of delight and adoration, and it may take a long time to enumerate them. Many of our actors are a true standard for me. Fortunately, some of these still work in my native theatre. The role doesn’t ever ‘holds’ me after the performance. Of course, I analyse and recollect something; however, if the performance was a success, I mostly rest in good mood. Meanwhile, when I rehearse a complex role during 3-4 months, it definitely doesn’t hold you. It’s always a tragedy when there’s no rehearsal and it’s always a great joy when we have rehearsals. During the so called ‘draft period’ of rehearsals I as if pounce on the role, quickly learn it and perceive everything what a stage director says. This is a great happiness when a stage director places accents in your role and you understand what they want from you. I adore time on the eve of run-throughs when there’re costumes and the make-up and soon you’ll enter the stage… Of course, something is still being checked and verified but everything will happen very soon. The process of playing itself is something delightful, especially if you fit the image, as does your partner… In the role of Mother (Karel Čapek "The Mother")

but can later freeze while others — not outstanding at first sight — continue to develop further. Some do this quicker, some slower. There’re both categories of students at my course and I try to make everything to help them learn this profession. Nothing will unless one feels the nature of acting profession. One doesn’t have either a brush or paints, like painters have, either a violin, like musicians have. One has just some invisible ‘buttons’ which are built-in and it’s necessary to understand how they work to independently. One can feel everything brilliantly but doesn’t know how to express these feelings and emotions in such a way that people believe. Without colossal labour in searches ‘when and which button to press’ one will fail to become an actor.

Men and husband

I like the world order, which includes men and women. It’s wonderful that there are men. It would be boring for women to live without men and men would disappear as a species without us. We can help them with their very serious attitude towards themselves and soften it with our tenderness and love. The whole our life is a game. There’s no need to treat temporary difficulties so dramatically. This does not mean that one should not take seriously the profession, duties and problems. However, when I see men’s faces, which reflect the drama that men feel inside, and it doesn’t matter what it is caused by, I’d like to say, ‘My dear, let’s treat everything easier -- you don’t roll Sisyphus’s stone… Life is so that there always can be problems in it, that’s why don’t ignore

actors

Zoya Belakhvostik with her daughter Valentina Gartsueva in the performance Vanyushin's Children

Alexander Dmitriyev

us, don’t wait until you fulfil everything while we are alive as it’s impossible.’ I think, it’s very important in relations between men and women to remember one thing: here and now, and not tomorrow, not later… I refer this to my husband, Alexander Gartsuev, Artistic Director of the Belarusian Drama Theatre). He has a difficult period in life now. I also refer this to my friends’ husbands. I know many wonderful families, built on mutual love, yet the atmosphere of the houses is in stagnation and there’s no pulse of life. Yes, everything is well, peaceful and quiet there, but it’s so stuffy... I cannot put up with this. After all, if love was, it will not disappear. This means that we have dropped out of its flow and fence ourselves off the life energy, so our sacred duty is to live life with joy, and not drag along it just because it is given to us. I am convinced that any woman, no matter how old she is, waits her man to express his feelings. Let it be not so often and passionately as in the young age. On the contrary, the restraint which comes with age has its own beauty and dignity. The same situation is with love which becomes better with time, like wine... The family will be complete, convenient and warm for everyone if all members of the family contribute their soul and heart equally. Then, old relations won’t lose their charm. Anyway, if someone does not hear me and does not try to understand, then I don’t need them in my life. The story of my marriage was romantic. I came to the theatre, and Sasha was in the army at that time. Then, he returned, and at the time the Kupala Theatre often travelled with concerts which featured Sasha and me; we sang songs and this is the result we have now. My husband is a workaholic, and work in his profession is in the first place for him. However, he does well everything about the house and garden: he has truly gifted hands. We have a farm near the Lithuania

border, so he made everything for us to spend vacations with full comfort there. We don’t manage to forget about work at home. Once our daughter Valya said, ‘One day, we should decide not to talk about theatre at home’. I agreed with her, as it turns out that we have a kind of a production meeting, look at one another, but don’t see, say something, but don’t hear... Of course, we really try, but sometimes it’s not so easy…

Daughter When I think about my daughter, I immediately see her as a child, laughing. My little Valya laughed in such a way that everyone around would laugh heartily too. She is a true miracle. I realised how capable she is on seeing her in The Boor: her diploma performance. She is a better actress than I am: cooler, more talented and more beautiful. She developed quickly, which makes me very proud and happy. I’m confident that her grandfather and great-grandfather would be pleased. We have a close relationship, although Valya can be too candid at times. However, I’m grateful to her, as she has intuition regarding others, seeing through them as if with

THEATRE

an X-ray; she is more insightful than me. She gives me and her father advice. Valya is a pure and positive person; I see my love for her as being a tender pink. I feel great happiness at being born on this Earth and in this country. I don’t wait for rivers of milk and honey, believing we must generate our own destiny. My parents worked hard to put bread on the table so, from an early age, despite being very happy, I knew that cherries needed to be collected, washed and removed of kernels in order to make jam. From the youngest age, I realised that fairy tales are different to reality. If you want to live in a paradise, you must create it yourself. You must fight to recreate the light which illuminated your childhood soul. Life is full of puzzles and secrets to be discovered and understood, like searching for hidden treasures in the flower bed. Those who seek will find… When I help others, my soul is uplifted. I feel love from others but still wonder sometimes whether I fully understand the souls of those closest to me. We have a dog named Grusha, who keeps us young at heart, meeting us joyfully and entertaining us. She makes everyone laugh and is so open in her faithfulness and love that we can really learn from her… I enjoy my age and I like the selfknowledge it has brought. I appreciate life and understand more. I’m also happy that I have such a wonderful daughter, who will give me grandchildren in the course of time. I’ll be playing with them, in order to help her, which pleases me. Nevertheless, I know of no greater joy than entering the stage and acting. By Valentina Zhdanovich

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Life Line

Sun inherited

This year, famous writer and public figure Vladimir Lipsky celebrates at least two significant anniversaries: 35 years as chief editor of Rainbow (a children’s magazine); and 25 years leading the Belarusian Children’s Fund

laureate of the B elarus State Prize, and of the literary awards of Yanka Maur and Vasil Vitka, Mr. Lipsky is a memb er of t h e Nat i on a l Commission for Children’s Affairs. He’s also written wonderful fairy tales and adventure stories for young readers, creating the magical land of Bukvaria and setting other tales in real Belarus. His writing has drawn on his own life experiences, describing his mother and father and researching his family tree. He’s even written a series on famous Belarusians, with more than ten fascinating biographies now in print. His writing has earned him the Russian Alexander Grin Literary Prize, which honours his stories about his family: Mother. A Son’s Prayer; and Father. Letters to the Sky. They also recognise his many years of service to children’s literature. Alexander Grin (whose true surname is Grinevsky and whose father hailed from Belarus) is known for his novels Scarlet Sails and Running on Waves. His creativity is supplemented by charitable endeavours, which have brought him the Nobel Prize for selfless work in the spirit of kindness and humanity. He has also been awarded the Order of St. Demetrius ‘For Mercy’:

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presented by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Alexy II. For many of us, childhood is the happiest time; it passes fast but remains with us, like a dream, at the edge of our consciousness. Vladimir’s friends joke that he is ‘stuck’ in his childhood, having found not only a ‘gold mine’ of creativity, but purpose. More than half of his sixty books are aimed at children. We might wonder how he has found the time, especially with his work for the Children’s Fund! Now, aged over 70, he has dedicated a book to his daughter and to his son, to his grandson Anton and to his granddaughter Masha. He notes that he never stops learning from children. This year, Mr. Lipsky’s unusual book, Sun Overhead, has been published, in the form of a 202 page diary by a grandfather to his youngest grandchild, Tolik — who has just begun school, aged seven. The ‘story’ unfolds, showing how the boy has grown from a baby, gradually gaining confidence in the world around him. Somewhere in the middle, in the 95th entry, the grandfather confesses, as Tolik starts kindergarten: ‘I’ve long believed that children should be ‘brought up’ but now believe in a new wisdom: we shouldn’t create anything new in a child’s mind unless it builds on what already exists. That’s the answer! I want Tolik to be more than an empty vessel into which teachings, suggestions and ready knowledge are poured. I don’t want you to be just

a voice recorder, repeating anything you’re told. I don’t want you to be an elevator, driven by others, or a mat on which everyone wipes their feet. I want you to be an engine producing your own energy. This will bring success in life. The ‘fuel’ for this motor, I think, should be health, brains and character. Acquire all these and develop; then, you’ll become a man!’ Reading Sun Overhead, I was interested to look through the ‘grandfather’s eyes’ not only at his grandson but to understand the author’s soul. The grandfather and grandson make discoveries together: ‘how small cucumbers grow, why a single branch can display both green and red tomatoes, how butterflies arrive and why fish yawn without water’. Sometime after Tolik’s birth, the entry reads: ‘You, my friend, are ten months old and I am already 66. I tell you secretly: I continue living as if in childhood and youth. I do not feel my age in my outlook, in my pace or in my expectations. I want to look at the world with wide eyed wonder, joy and delight, as you do. With the eyes of love! This is the main thing.’ My friend, the writer Victor Kazko, also speaks of a lively grandfather in the foreword to his children’s book, which has over 300 pages. He notes at first that ‘in Belarus, there are no old men without jokes and gimmicks’. Then, he reveals his biggest secret: ‘Grandfathers fool their grandchildren into thinking that they

Life Line

Vadim Kondrashov

are cre at ing original tales’. Tales such as those narrated in Queen of White Princesses may appear to

Vladimir Lipsky has published over 60 books

be recounted from years of listening and experience, drawing on imagination, but are certainly not an original vision of the world. Naturally, we can all argue that our imagination is formed in childhood and never leaves us. Psychologists believe that all our habits and opinions, hopes a n d fears are shaped in those early years. Our

character is formed from the youngest age. Like famous poet Sergey Mikhalkov and legendary Eduard Uspensky, Mr. Lipsky plucks those childhood intuitions deep from his soul and presents them to today’s young readers. What drew you to children’s fiction, and writing in general? Anyone who has read your Parents and Children, which are in the form of diaries, or has turned the pages of your biography, knows that you began by working at Grodno Combine near Nesvizh, then joined the Komsomol, but that most of your life has been spent at the magazine Rainbow. How did that transition occur? Now I’m of a good age, looking back, it feels as if I’ve worked for children all my life. Why is this so? I think the answer is that I didn’t have a real childhood of my own, so I took my first steps in that world through writing. Believe me, I still look at the world through children’s eyes, despite being over 70. It’s as if I’m in a land of childhood, playing with those toys that I never had and feeling emotions I never experienced before. In my latest book for Tolik, my grandson, I recall the Nazis burning our village, when I was just 3 years old. It was the small village of Shovkavichi, in the Rechitsa District, in Polesie. They were peaceful people who deserved nothing bad to happen. I recall, or maybe my imagination has brought to life the stories relatives told me, that partisans came one Sunday morning, shouting that the Nazis were coming and would burn the village. They showed us where to run and gave us just five minutes to get ready. My mother took me by the hand and told the other five children to stay close. We left everything, except for my father taking our icon and some potatoes to feed us children in the forest. My parents thought only of how to save us. I’m very grateful to them for that love, which inspired me to write my books about my mother and father. We lived in that forest in tents, then in earth huts, staying there until the end of the summer, through autumn and then the winter of 1943. All six of us children stayed alive and healthy.

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Life Line

‘We live in an earthen house: a hole in the earth covered with twigs, branches and turf. In short, it’s like a fox’s hole or a wolf ’s den. The Nazis forced our residents of Shovkovichi to live in the forest like animals. Those conquerors came to burn our houses. What evil had we done you? Only God knows how our mother managed to feed us. She patiently took up her cross through the war. She warmed us with her care, fed us with tenderness, entertained us with her inventions and elevated us with her faith. You are in my heart, Mummy!’ (From ‘Mother. A Son’s Prayer’) You experienced war through your own childhood and could not play freely, which is why you like to create a new childhood. Did you have any toys in the forest? While we were living in the earthen house, when I was 4, my brother made me a gun. There were partisans there, so that influenced our games. He took a stick, fastened a stone to it and then a rope for me to hang it over my shoulder. I recall walking with that gun in the forest, entering one of the other earthen houses and saying seriously, “I’ve returned from war; maybe, you have some food to share?” I was hungry. The lady inside replied absolutely sincerely, “Son, we have nothing except a piece of pancake.” I answered, “That’s ok.” I took it, sat and ate. The woman began crying, which I didn’t understand at the time but do now. She was crying at children playing such games. I also want to cry sometimes, when I see children in Afghanistan or Africa, under 7 years old, holding real automatic guns. Who will they grow to become? I’m grateful to that woman, as that piece of pancake was a great joy to me. Do you still like toys, spending all your time with children? Yes, I’ve travelled all over the world, as people say, and bring back toys from different countries. For example, I have a clockwork horse that plays music

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from the USA, a monkey from Mexico, a laughing toy from Berlin and others. I played with them with my grandchildren when they were younger, which inspired some fairy tales. Several of my works were inspired by real prototypes. I remember playing with my little daughter Marina, who was entrusted to my sole care for two days. I gave her all the toys, so she wouldn’t cry. Later, when my wife returned, I offered Masha any toy she liked to keep hold of but she replied, “Can I take you?” She now has her own daughter, student Masha, and Tolik, aged 7. I wrote about my son Igor in ‘Grishka’s Adventures’, and about his son in ‘Antonik-pony’. I wrote about my daughter in ‘Marina’s Fairy Tale’, and about my granddaughter in ‘Our Masha’. Tolik appears in ‘Sun Overhead’. Sometimes, I’m criticised for writing about my relatives but many writers do so. Yakub Kolas devoted books to each of his three sons; it’s normal. After all, you can write about what you see in front of you, simply watching, listening, considering, understanding and switching on your imagination. ‘Dear Tolik! I was lucky to see the sunrise and, the same day, enjoyed a full rainbow in the sky. Probably, there are no more beautiful miracles in the world than sunrise and rainbows in the sky. We should all work as hard as the sun; it’s a tireless workaholic. No matter what happens on Earth — war or fire, tsunamis or earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or an avalanche sliding from the mountains — the sun remains in its place. It rises, sends its rays to the ground and sets, giving people a chance to rest. We don’t always see it but it’s a constant guardian in the sky, always working. Sometimes, I think that the sun is our God. It’s the same towards everyone. It wants to be kind to everyone, but not everyone likes it — just as is the case for God’s care.’ (From ‘Sun Overhead’)

Do you still play with your youngest grandson, Tolik? Oh, he just called me and is waiting. Tolik is in first grade and has already been in ‘Rainbow’. We play with cars in the evening: his ambulance, fire truck and others. It’s interesting for us. In summer, we fish, or do something about the house, or ride his bicycle. We go to a cottage near Minsk, near Lysaya Gora (owned by the Union of Writers). We often walk through the forest, studying the trees and grass. There are birds there and butterflies. He asks me to show him where I was born and where my father’s grave is located, which pleases me. In my book, I write a lot about him and for him; he’ll read it when he grows up. We’ve already given autographs together, at my book launch. He loved that. What drew you to writing and why do you write mostly for children? I started to write about Shovkovichi residents early on, while I was in the 4th and 5th class, for the local newspaper. I thought them beautiful, though they were grimy, and I wanted to thank my countrymen for their kindness and hard work. I still have these small articles from the district newspaper, which are my most precious publications. I decided that I’d be a journalist, especially after I’d written about an absentee foreman, who was fired as a result. No one would complain that he wouldn’t lend a horse to plough a field or bring anything, as they were afraid. Suddenly, a boy did this! I felt the power of the truth and of the creative word. I then came to Minsk to study. My father made a suitcase for me, into which I placed books and a piece of salo [pig fat]. Only in the capital did I realise how strange I looked, wearing my father’s trousers, my neighbour’s shirt and the canvas coat and cap of a railway man. I was scared! What should I do? Someone from our school had studied at the college I applied to, having recommended it to me. I chose to study with the Sugar Department, thinking I’d learn how to make sweets; however, they taught us how to refine sugar and I went to Gorodeya as a mechanic.

Life Line I wrote for the Nesvizh District newspaper and studied journalism remotely, visiting various editors’ offices and working as a freelance journalist for youth and children’s newspapers. Then I married and my son Igor was born. I started looking after him and wrote a lot. Pavel Pronuzo was the first real writer I’d met in Nesvizh; I showed him my diary and he pronounced it to be literature. So, it was for Igor that I wrote ‘Grishka’s Adventures’. Did you receive advice from any other writers? Before I published the book, I showed extracts to Vasily Vitka, ‘Rainbow’s’ chief editor: the magazine for small children, written in Belarusian. I was working for Komsomol at the time, and the editorial office was in the same building, at 40, Karl Marx Street: I just went one floor down. I remember that Vasily Vitka, Ales Polchevsky and Sergey Grakhovsky were sitting there: three literary giants in one room. Mr. Vitka smiled and said, “Vladimir, read us what you’ve brought.” As I read, I found weaknesses and began to perspire. I said that I’d return another time, so he smiled and agreed. As a wise man, he didn’t criticise me. It’s a tactic I apply to authors myself. I rewrote my works a couple of times and they were published on the first two pages of ‘Rainbow’ in the late 1960s. That was my debut into the literary world, and it inspired me! I became friends with Mr. Vitka, whose creativity seemed at an unreachable height. My first book was thin. Recently, I found it in a library. It was well read and a bit shabby, so I changed it for a new one: a large folio of my stories and fairy tales for children. I was published more in ‘Rainbow’ and so it went on. So Rainbow made you a children’s writer...? (Laughing) It can happen this way: we do business, and the business shapes us. Ivan Shamyakin then invited me to the Writer’s Union from Komsomol, to be an executive secretary. For two and

a half years, I was the main doorkeeper, arriving first and leaving last, conducting meetings and events. The building near Gorky Park had just opened, so our work flow was being adjusted. I reported to Maxim Tank and Ivan Shamyakin about the daily situation. These were unforgettable meetings. I have books autographed by Konstantin Simonov and other famous writers; I even met Rasul Gamzatov. I also

joined delegations travelling outside Belarus. When Anatoly Grechanikov moved on from his editor’s position at ‘Rainbow’, I applied and Mr. Shamyakin recommended me, although I was not yet a member of the Writers’ Union. Here are the portraits [on the wall] of my predecessors at the magazine: Vasily Vitka, then Yevdokia Los — for two and a half years, Mr. Grechanikov for the same time, and me as the fourth editor. These past 35 years have flown like a single day, which I’m delighted about! As editor and writer, I’ve written mainly for children and teenagers. As head of the Belarusian Children’s Fund, I also deal with children, wiping away the tears of young people with disabilities and orphans, alongside my friends. We work mainly with such groups. My whole life has been devoted to children and I can’t imagine it otherwise. For me, children are God’s messengers on Earth. I don’t think children are born purely on the whim of parents; I think the decision comes from above. Who can

answer why babies are born at a particular time to particular families. There is no answer. Wise men say that children choose their parents and not vice versa... I believe in this! Children are younger versions of adults and have the ability to educate us and change the way we live. We shouldn’t forget that. Treat them as equals while helping them to grow with pure hearts. The Bible urges us to ‘be like children’. Children should respect people, their culture and history, growing with love for their motherland and mother tongue. This is the aim of ‘Rainbow’ (the main magazine in Belarus, in my opinion). Our mission is to strengthen the bonds of young citizens with their land and people. We have a considerable circulation: 13,000. Every month, I address our young readers and their older brothers and sisters, as well as their parents and grandparents. We plan our stories, poems, games and articles carefully, deciding what to share with the younger generation. What are you currently working on? We have many plans! For example, I began to feel that children lacked knowledge of our history, so I started writing about this in simple language. The series I Live Here is the result, featuring unusual maps, puzzles and riddles. The maps were drawn by artists at my direction, including pictures of castles, churches, monuments, rivers, animals, birds and fish. We also included portraits of the famous people born there and the coats of arms. My Rainbow over the Neman is about the Grodno Region, with a circulation of 12,000 copies; it’s like a patriotic tutorial. My Gomel: My Motherland and Yours is soon to be released. I may not have time to tackle every region so am encouraging my writer friends to help in the project. We may also be able to create a special fund to co-ordinate and finance a series called Rainbow Library, publishing the best stories and poems from our 700 issues, dating from 1957 onwards. By Ivan Zhdanovich

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traditions are reviving

Anya Shevtsova, 83, is sharing hand-woven 4m long redand-white embroidered rushnik napkins with the public. Some are as old as their owner.

Desire to‘read’

rushnik

nya’s mother used to weave on a wooden spinning wheel. Now, the wonderful items she created in the last century are drawing hundreds of visitors, who are happy to pay money to view them. In our 21st century world, her r ushni ks are a cu ltural treasure. On show at the UN headquarters and at the American Metropolitan, in New York, Montreal, Tokyo, Paris and Brussels, her skilfully embroidered napkins are admired worldwide. Of course, almost every home in the village of Neglyubka (in the Gomel Region’s Vetka District) owns such treasures.

‘Reading’ patterns

Alexander Stadub

In the late 19th century, 3,500 villagers lived in Neglyubka; today, there are only around 800. It could be worse; another 59 villages in the district disappeared altogether after the Chernobyl disaster. In the past, Neglyubka was famous for its harmonica makers; their last representative died not long ago. Its weavers remain, although their wheels tend to be stored in attics these days. They’re old, with stiff fingers and weak eyesight, so have long since given up their craft. Every wedding features a ceremonial rushnik. In the past, newborn babies were laid upon their own embroidered cloth and would eventually have this buried with them. The rushnik is a talisman which still decorates icons and family portraits in many houses. “Neglyubka has its own peculiar feature: three — rather than one — rushniks decorate the icon corner, which is viewed as the most beautiful part of the house,” explains Larisa Romanova, a leading research officer at the Vetka

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traditions are reviving Folk Art Museum. It boasts the largest regional collection. Each Neglyubka rushnik is unique. Anya shows us the ‘zhaluddzya’ and ‘kulachcha’ patterns, adding that she has never thought about their actual meaning. Ethnographers believe their motifs are sacred, explains Ms. Romanova, “The Neglyubka tradition is among the richest, with over 120 patterns. Meanwhile, ‘Cruchcha’ is one of the most popular, being 5000 years old. Our books on Dnieper Area Ornamentation can help you distinguish between these patterns. It was through rushniks that people demonstrated their understanding of life and time; those woven in the 1920-30s differ from late 20th century rushniks.” “I also have many shirts which I can show you,” says granny Anya, taking wonderfully woven clothes from her wardrobe. Local senior citizens tell us that, many years ago, the head of the village forbade the wearing of such shirts at work, as such traditions were seen as unnecessary distractions: vestiges of the past. Interest in weaving then fell away.

rushnik woven by a couple of our tenth grade pupils was awarded second prize at the Kolyady Star Republican Contest. We also teach the history of traditional crafts and children undertaken their own research.” Everything could have developed differently if a branch of the Gomel Artware Factor y had continued operating in Neglyubka — as in the early 1990s. It became a vocational training centre, with past employees remaining, but the sewing facility closed, as it no longer made a true profit. It’s undecided whether it will re-launch, explains the Deputy Chairman of the Vetka District Executive Committee, Sergey Konchits. He tells us, “The factory may reopen if rushniks come back into fashion, enjoying demand. In the meantime, it’s not reasonable for us to simply build up a stock of unsold products. Wise promotion may help increase demand, so we’re exploring this at present.”

The Director of the Gomel Regional Folk Art Centre, Nikolay Shemshenya, notes, “Neglyubka weavers create exclusive napkins which are hand made; they are in a different realm to factory made items.” Interestingly, Vetka children have helped spread the presence of the local rushniks across Western Europe, having brought them as gifts for many years after the Chernobyl disaster, during their recuperation in Italy, Germany and Holland. Those from the Gomel Region understand that it’s vital to show Neglyubka’s unique pieces across Belarus and abroad, to help revive this wonderful craft and launch industrial production. The First Deputy Head of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee’s Culture Department, Olga Antonenko, believes that the first step has already been taken, with Neglyubka last year hosting a regional festival of Belarusian rushniks for the first time. By Dmitry Umpirovich

In fact, some wheels continue spinning! Kostya Kulikov, 8, has been having lessons at Neglyubka’s Weaving Centre (established at the local House of Culture). The textiles club is teaching16 children, headed by Lyudmila Kovaleva. She notes that more boys are taking part than girls at the moment, being ‘keen to make gifts for their mothers for March 8th’. I watch some of the girls skilfully inserting shuttles of red and white threads, then pushing the ‘steps’ to activate the loom. They spend an hour studying Neglyubka patterns. Acting Director Irina Kulaga tells us, “The Education Ministry has prepared a programme for us to follow in our handicraft lessons. Of course, we can adjust the number of hours devoted to weaving but we see no reason to do so: we’re dedicating three hours of club time and an optional extra hour. We also teach sewing and cooking and are seeing good results. This year, a

Alexander Stadub

Age of renaissance

 Belarus’ State List of Intangible Cultural Heritage also includes redand-white rushniks from Semezhevo. The Deputy Chair of the M insk Region’s Kopyl District Executive Committee, Alla Raevskaya, notes that the area is preserving and promoting the tradition. “A Weaving Centre and a School of Weavers operate in the village of Semezhevo,” she tells us. “However, we aren’t fixated on

this craft alone; we’re promoting Semezhevo and the district as a whole. We’re popularising the ‘Kolyady Tsars’ custom (on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage), while developing culinary traditions. Last year, a folk-ethnographic tour was organised and a special ‘green route’ launched for tourists — with information boards and campsites. There are plenty of similar ideas.”

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books

Surprises for book lovers Most expensive Belarusian book costs Br5m while smallest can fit into a baby’s palm

he thickest book in the world is soon to be published in Denmark, with 23,675 pages, detailing the rules and regulations of budgetary funding for allowances for unemployed Danes. Its publisher, the Min A-kasse unemployment insurance company, seems to have its eye on The Guinness Book of Records. How do Belarusian books surprise readers? We here detail the top five unusual books from Belarus, aided by the National Library and the State Museum of Belarusian Literary History.

The oldest The 11th century Turov Gospel is a handwritten liturgical collection of Gospel readings, written with chestnut ink in legible geometrically adjusted handwriting (by charter). Un f o r t u n a t e l y, only 10 pages of the Gospel remain, having b e e n fou n d i n a box of coal in Turov in 1865. Now, the publication is stored in

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the library of the Academy of Sciences of Lithuania in Vilnius.

The smallest A collections of works by Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas, from 1967, measures just 3x4cm and is illustrated by popular Belarusian artist Vasily Sharangovich. The collection won a prize at the All-Union Contest The Art of Books and is currently held in the private collection of Yevgeny Ksenevich, who has been collecting miniatures for more than 30 years.

The most expensive The book The Effect of Holding, by Alexander Gavrilenko, costs nearly Br5m. This is the most expensive edition, detailing business practices across the CIS. The book examines the activities of holding companies in Belarus. Circulation is limited to only 300 copies and is designed for a narrow readership. The author considers the theory and practice of corporate governance, systems of personal control and conflict resolution and issues of trust between owners and managers.

The most sincere

Testaments of the Nobility and of the Burghers in Belarus in the Second Half of the 16th Century contains ancient wills: ‘mental (spiritual) letters’. The collection has been prepared by the National Historical Archives of Belarus and contains more than a hundred documents, each translated into modern language. The originals were written by representatives of the nobility and by well-known figures of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Wills of that time reflected the material state of the person, their family body and their degree of education.

The most unexpected The Blue Book of Belarusian Alcoholics, by A nt o n Ku l o n (real name Anatoly Ostapenko) tells of his adventures while drunk and how he rid himself of the addiction. The word ‘blue’ in the title of the book does not relate to the traditional colour of the faces of those who drink too much alcohol but is the colour of the publication by American Alcoholics Anonymous, for those who want to stop drinking. By Lyubov Notkina

projects

Paintings mirror time

Unusual exhibition Original project at Mogilev museum brought to life

New exhibition at artist Mikhail Sevruk’s house-museum launches in Nesvizh

esidents view Mikhail Sevruk as a Nesvizh artist, since he drew inspiration from the town for four decades. The city’s remoteness from the capital may be the reason for him being little known, but this is certainly not deserved. With this in mind, enthusiasts have united efforts to remedy the situation.

The launch of a new exhibition at Mr. Sevruk’s house-museum pays tribute to his legacy. Among the many guests at the solemn ceremony were representatives of the Belarusian Culture Ministry, the Minsk Regional Executive Committee’s Culture Department, Mr. Sevruk’s friends, colleagues and pupils, as well as his fans and all those who appreciate true art. The artist’s personal collection at the Nesvizh Local History Museum (of which the house-museum is part) boasts 1,118 works — including pictures, sketches, reproductions, books and personal belongings. The Mikhail Sevruk: Pictorial and Graphic Art

album was presented at the ceremony, showing many works currently kept by the museum and on display within the new exhibition. The artist was born in 1905 in Warsaw, studying at Vilno University’s Department of Fine Arts and Music. After WWII, he lived and worked in Nesvizh. A member of the BSSR Union of Artists, he tended to prefer graphic works (in vogue at the time) and loved to capture portraits of ordinary working people, showing love and respect for those he drew. Inspired by wonderful Nesvizh, he also created a series of engravings featuring architectural monuments: Farny Roman Catholic Church, the Slutsk Brama (Gates), the Town Hall and the Radziwills’ Palace. He also illustrated Belarusian language books, including creating covers for books by Maxim Tank and Rygor Shirma. In Nesvizh, Mr. Sevruk painted his brightest and most picturesque canvases, showing a deep psychological approach and sincerity in painting human characters. His landscapes depict ancient parks and other places of beauty in the area, which were close to his heart. Mr. Sevruk has many pupils and his followers are working hard to preserve and promote the master’s legacy.

he search for the sacred Belarusian Yevfrosiniya Polotskaya’s Cross, which was lost in the early years of the Great Patriotic War, from Mogilev’s Pavel Maslennikov Museum, is yet to yield results. A reproduction was created in 1997, in Polotsk, and the Pavel Maslennikov Museum now has a holographic image of the sacred item, created by Belarusian physicist Leonid Tanin and artist Valery Leunin. The innovation allows the treasure to be viewed by an even greater number and the museum is planning a second holographic exhibition, displaying other sacred items, ancient weapons and coins and Vytautas’ belt. Remarkably, Mogilev is the first city in the country to use holography in its museum.

By Maria Bogomazova

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art

In search of eternal truth Galina Gorovaya. From the Masquerade series, 1999, bronze

e e i n g w or k s by Ne m i g a a r t i s t s , their strength and maturity is evident. Each is individual in their creativity, w hi le shar ing a common spirit, although their ages range widely; some are aged over 60. All are universally content, being free to create as they please, with no one commanding them to fulfil state orders. However, their path to such freedom has been long and difficult. Nemiga artists are the generation called ‘semidesyatniki’ (the Seventies) by critics and psychological discrepancy between them and the acknowledged leaders of the 1960s is apparent. Moreover, circumstances have made this gap even greater. ‘Younger painters’ disliked the publiGalina Gorovaya. Two Torsos, 2001, bronze

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Nemiga Minsk Artists’ Creative Association defines future path of national fine arts

cistic character of the creative activity of ‘shestidesyatniki’ (the Sixties), as well as primarily literature character of their figurativeness and the absence of sincere interest towards language renovation which may lead to the loss of quality of plastic expression.

Avoiding creative dialogue, ‘older’ painters preferred the tactics of longterm and consistent shakeout of the ‘young’ from the public life of the art. Young artists began to assert themselves more prominently, wanting to make their own mark, and this led to the birth of the Nemiga Creative Association. It inspired a more original approach to the professional school of fine art, and new paths explored through the age-old theme of Belarusian folklore, folk art and crafts. Young painters repudiated their position as outcasts, cleverly embracing folk art, while using it as a vehicle to experiment. The rise of the national school in the 1960s had its peculiarities. Unlike the Ukraine, Moldova, new trends in the art of the Republic were nurtured mostly by the tragic memory of the military past rather than centuries-long folklore heritage. Even in the 1980s, folk motifs were present: woven designs, embroidery,

Vitaliy Gil

art

Nikolay Bushchik with New Babylon behind (canvas, oil, 2001)

As if listening to the eternal flow of time, they conjured picturesque dreams of village childhood, folk tales, depicted in songs-pictures and picturesparables. They omitted sentimental village lovers and other such Moscow motifs, aiming to gain deeper human understanding. The aim of painters was understanding of themselves, selfdetermination with respect to colour, rhythm and movement of space, breath of the picturesque mass. In Minsk, the style of picturesque poetry could be born, that would be painted in colours of its time and place. But it was probably possible, but too idyllic option, reality decided otherwise. It happened so that on the rise of the Belarusian artistic life of the Soviet time, canvases by Zoya Litvinova and Leonid Khobotov, Galina Gorovaya and Tamara Sokolova, Nikolay Bushchik, Anatoly Kuznetsov and Sergey Kiryushchenko were often misunderstood by their colleagues and cultural leaders and their talent went largely unrecognised. Their potential Eden was filled only with weeds. Runof-the-mill pictorial souvenirs and

traditional pottery, wooden sculpture and the gleaming gold of Belarusian straw crafts. In short, expressive symbols of folklore thinking in its full richness. Moscow artists of the 1970s speak about the exploration of the ‘world museum’ and about carnival tonality of life perception while their Minsk colleagues sought national identity. Meanwhile, alongside Belarusians, the group of painters in Belarus included those coming from other corners of the Soviet Union, as far as Siberia and the Far East. Nemiga is the river under one of the central quarters of modern Minsk, where new artists’ studios have been built. Since the time of The Song of Igor's Campaign, the river has been perceived by artists as an historical, geographical and cultural symbol, with which participants of the same name exhibition associated their creative thoughts. Nikolay Bushchik. Meeting and Parting, canvas, oil, 2003

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art luxurious chic of fashionable salons suddenly became exhibits at exhibitions and determined with their intrusive motley the style of their acquiring independence. The Nemiga Association chose a difficult path. Members whose careers already spanned a couple of decades took flight from what was expected of them. Whether you lived in Moscow, Minsk, Vilnius or St. Petersburg, the choices faced were similar, with artists keen to set their own stamp on their works. Literally everything cracked that was better or worse built to the middle of the life, everything that gave at least relative creative stability. The ‘failure’ of the Soviet system left before the 1970s painters a rather small space for choice proceeding from priorities which existed within foreign and domestic situation, or simply speaking , purchasing power for their creative efforts. Of course, this doesn’t mean that that they estranged from the humanity,

Tamara Sokolova Cube, 2002, (on the top), timber and acrylic Gates, 2002, (on the right), timber and acrylic

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lost sensitivity to people's lives, the ability to hear and excite many of us, find support and cause a response in the body of the living culture. However, they tackled the process of creativity as painters-discoverers. They endeavoured to bring something substantial, foreseen by them, but still not understood by us, unexpected and not seen. They want to bring themselves into our world thus making it richer. We should manage to see this gift. However, everybody can do this with a certain emotional openness, generosity of heart. To explain their motivations completely is almost impossible but a look at the works of Nikolay Bushchik is a good place to start. His early success with landscapes mutated into a celebration of the symbolic mysteries of nature and cosmic harmony, as embodied by Dedication to Čiurlionis (1997). Sculptor Galina Gorovaya has a talent in showing us the hidden soul in wood, stone or metal. She brings the same intimacy to representations of animals and birds as is usually found in the depiction of humans. She admires beauty in all its forms, with pride, joy and tenderness, sharpening it in her dazzling sculptural compositions with colour accents which come from wonderful folk perception of brightness and freshness — unusual for tired eyes. As in mytho-

logical tales, she blurs the line between the human and animal world, showing us new aspects to our identity. Another Nemiga sculptor, Tamara Sokolova, takes a different approach, working with abstract, geometric forms, in clay and chamotte. We see the wonderful charm of the handmade, expressed through warm textures and natural colours. The same is with small architectural forms which create comfort for people while simultaneously stirring up their fantasy. Sometimes, Tamara comes away from decorative solutions and makes functional objects, doing so with a genuine sense of style and noble, restrained taste. All these three masters can be united by soft lyrical tonality which may be inspired by the poetic nature of the Nemiga Association and this has become the message of their creative activity. Sergey Kiryushchenko, Tamara’s husband, is opposite to her. He is a master of brutal giant forms. His works are based on rethought of neo-constructivism. He paints with not picturesque, but bright, saturated colour active that is used for exotic modern mechanism or theatrical scenery in techno style. Mr. Kiryushchenko is an incredible fanatic of idea. Sitting in his attic, he creates a composition of two, three or four metres height. He is a real master: he organise filigree his rhythmic lattices, and paints the spots of the local colours with a variety of different techniques with remarkable ingenuity. This is also deep personal love to the job -reckless sincerity of return, fullness of human expression that captivates the authors of Nemiga. Anatoly Kuznetsov and Leonid Khobotov have chosen the method of abstraction, and again they are quite original in their search. The meaning of abstract symbolic images can be felt to some extent, but it’s quite hopeless to describe it, because everything is built on very shaky and subjective associations here that, moreover, vibrate, depending on our mood. It seems that Mr. Kuznetsov is attracted

art

Sergey Kiryushchenko and his Signs of 3D Interaction series

by large spaces where various nature powers hover, among which a human tries to distinguish music of own heart, his lyrical state, flickering of morning scenery and exhilarating rush of will to create forms. And all this is in the wind, fire of colourful lightings, bursts, rays and sometimes in a methodical and painstaking work to curb these verses with discipline of picturesque surface of the canvas. Abstraction of Mr. Kuznetsov seems to be a metaphor of the artist’s life, his fantasy in fight of a brush with infinity outside his studio. Leonid Khobotov is a kind of architect of natural being. If Sergey Kiryushchenko creates enthusiastically city of ordered connections and relations from the inanimate matter, then Mr. Khobotov takes colour arrays similar to cyclopean stone blocks, archaic, roughly carved pillars, able

to carry the pediment of an ancient temple, or as an artist ‘moves’ hills from one place to another, so he creates giant sculpture of the lying woman. Gathering together these observations, I would like to talk about a philosophy of understanding the world of masters of Nemiga. they have lived through the collapse of the Soviet Union. Of course, this was less catastrophic that the days of revolution or the two world wars. The support, which they have found for themselves in the hope of the future, is the reliance on the creative elements of nature, healthy foundation of everlasting way of human life. They do not tell naive fables, they charge and inspire their audience with extra-terrestrial primal force. And in this work, I think, the highest power and wisdom has Zoya Litvinova’s crea-

tivity, most mature master of Nemiga community. Artist of rare temperament, initially inclined to large-scale ideas, Zoya Litvinova has fully passed the way of spontaneous enthusiasm of pagan life force. Her canvases that often praised scenes of folk festivals, became well-known in the Soviet years. She also worked as a monumentalist. Tapestry based on peasant’s motifs of the 1980s-90s became for her a start of a new understanding of the human of the earth. However, she has opened gradually supreme religious meaning in the game of the nature living powers. She started to understand endlessly complexity, contradictory variety of the world order, as well as mental and moral human being. Today, Zoya also often follows her favourite motifs of ritual dance, come to the new era of

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art European art from Matisse, Picasso, Goncharova. Then, she reached the mysticism of Christianity, to mystery of faith, love and sacrificial death, symbolic of reunion of all things on earth. So, we come to one of the intimate details of the artistic language of Zoya. She sheds soft golden light on figures in the scenes of holidays, passions, telling often about

ever the relevance of the problems of their national and cultural identity. The period of Nemiga development as a single (with the whole diversity of individuals being a part of it) creative team took place in these rugged promising years, as well as the formation of the concept and aesthetic platforms. The artists intended to emphasise the

sphere of plastic pursuit, and the plot didn’t play a great role. Awareness of their national identity was expressed in their striving to gain artistic language, which was genetically connected with cultural traditions of the Belarusians, though it was modern. Already at that early stage, the members of Nemiga were characterised by dynamic, creative-oriented

Zoya Litvinova views herself as a traditional painter and thinker, ‘nurtured’ by reality

the most difficult moral and philosophical conflicts of human history. Perhaps, this is the shine of her faith and love to a human being, and that the highest, clearest lyricism, with which symbolic Nemiga, on which banks the history of generations of ancestors has been developing, warms her and her fellows. In fact, the creativity of these artists exists in space of modernist tradition in art. The horizons of their way can be determined by the words: form, expression, spirituality. Nemiga -17 Association was founded in 1986 by the group of like-minded artists who were keen to find a new path in domestic painting. Sculptors, who joined Nemiga, have expanded with their activities creative horizons of the group, added multiple dimensions and scale to the tasks they faced. In the wake of the first years of perestroika, artists of all republics of the former Soviet Union felt more than

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connection to the deep layers of the national history and culture even by the association’s name. Nemiga is not just the street, where the idea of the union appeared in the studio, but this is also the name of the river that doesn’t exist now. Its banks witnessed ancient battles between the armies of Polotsk and Kiev princes in 1067, as described in The Song of Igor’s Campaign. The river is first mentioned in chronicles associated with this event. But probably, this is the only case in the association’s work case of direct appeal to the historical event (it should be also mentioned that the works of artists of Nemiga have always been far from any social or political directions). The defining creative sets of the group were different initially. Developing the national problematics, the artists have never started from historical or ethnographic themes, plots. They looked for the solution of this urgent task in the

attitude to the national tradition, to the world culture in general. Striving to revive and continue the interesting coloristic and plastic search of the Belarusian painters and sculptors of the 1920s, referring to the folk art, they have always remained open for the influence of other artistic experiences. Significant role in their creative development was played by the study of the legacy of Russian and French painting of the frontier of the 19th-20th centuries, and later acquaintance with the achievements of world art of the middle and second half of the 20th century. Nemiga brought interest and taste to expressive, rich plastic picturesque form, to associative, metaphorical language to the Belarusian painting. Colour has always been the main form-building component for the artists of this creative association. The late 1980s and early 1990s were the periods of active and fruitful search

art of own way practically for the Nemiga artists. United by common ideological and aesthetic positions, they solved this task in different ways. Today, one can see a particular cross-cutting topic or issue in the work of each of them that is the support for the artist, as well as inspiration source, which determines much his creative personality.

In his early figurative works, Nikolay Bushchik focused more than any of his colleagues on the question of national and cultural identity, on the visual specificity of a residential plot or landscape motifs. In the artist’s works of recent years, the desire is obvious to expand his horizon of vision and access to the topics of a supranational character, that

have taken the three-dimensional form to new heights over recent decades, freeing themselves from the banal even more than those working on canvas, embracing the philosophical and inspiring their painter-colleagues anew. Through the centuries, art has been turned to political cause, used as propaganda, recording historical

The search for spirituality, in life and work, has been central to Zoya Litvinova, driving forward her creativity. Her heart is open, listening and ready to hear the ‘world’. She is unusual among the Nemiga artists in not following the abstract genre. Practically all other members of the association work in the sphere of abstract art today, at the same time, saving quite strong connection to reality -- the main source of their impressions and creative impulses. Rejection of figurativism was largely natural, determined by the logic of the evolution of their thinking, the desire to get away from literariness, as alien to the nature of fine art factor. They strive to embody their idea about the picture of the world, first of all, using inner image-plastic resources of painting and sculpture. They seek to reveal what lies within us: the ultimate expression of reality. Naturally, each artist has their own motives and path.

are of great importance for him today, access to understanding of himself and his creativity in the context of universal values, and therefore to search of another imagery and other language. Abstract form has helped him to loosen up, given not only freedom of self-expression, but also led to a level of new concreteness of artistic expression. Anatoly Kuznetsov’s painting is even more impulsive and improvisational. He was one of the first (in the mid-1990s) to use abstraction and determined his methods of work with the sensory-plastic material. He emphasises his works’ sensuality, asserting that abstract art must focus on a vivid concept. His colour palette, coupled with texture and rhythm, inspires an almost meditative state. The Nemiga Association has had a greater influence on Belarusian painting than sculpture, having few sculptor members, but among them are Galina Gorovaya and Tamara Sokolova. They

events and portraits. Political technologies penetrate more actively to its territory, blurring the boundaries of art and turning it into documentation of various phenomena and events of life. Artists may be judged as journalists, politicians or sociologists, who are less and less interested in questions of aesthetics. Problems of form and beauty are removed to the background, giving place pseudo social pathos of discussing processes of the current moment. The Nemiga artists have sought the eternal, rather than short-term popularity, in art and in life. They have swum against the current saving the balance of mental and physical strength. They are strong personalities, who understand the act of art as individual activity in the world order, as individual responsibility. It is a trend ever growing in our 21st century world, with new directions blooming. By Victor Mikhailov

2013 беларусь.belarus

traditions

hese days, women are spoilt for choice when it comes to dresses and veils: silk, satin, lace and other rich fabrics make wedding outfits utterly beautiful. Moreover, brides can shop online as well as in town. Even a hundred years ago, their choice was far more limited. Our grandmothers and great grandmothers would have probably sewn their own outfits and headwear or asked neighbours and friends to help. Here, we lo ok at traditions regarding bridal headwear: which flowers were interlaced into a chaplet? What was the difference between a houve and hood? And why were veils wrapped around the neck?

At all times wedding has been considered as one of happy moments of life

Ribbon in hair complements your outfit Keeping away the evil eye “For a long time, brides tended to wear chaplets on their heads,” explains Veronika Bogacheva, a lecturer from the Costume and Textiles Department at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. “At the end of the 19th-early 20th century, traditions began to change, with veils beginning to be worn. Initially, veils were placed over the chaplet; then, headwear with visors came into fashion.” Veronika distinguishes three types of chaplets: a twisted chaplet of flowers, a chaplet-headband (on dart or frame) and a chaplet on a solid base of split, elm or cardboard. “You could use a simple sieve, wrap its bad side with ordinary canvas and the good with expensive fabric such as velvet and silk. You then decorated it with various flowers,” explains Ms. Bogacheva.

беларусь.belarus 2013

with humour There was also linen headwear, like a folded towel, tied behind, with embroidery at the forehead and ends. For her wedding, a girl could wear an ordinary neckerchief tied under the chin, or a povivailo. “It was another popular form of wedding headwear: a large piece of fabric covering the bride’s face, according to the old tradition of hiding her from others’ eyes. On the way to the church, she would be covered with several blankets, to prevent her attracting the evil eye,” notes Veronika.

On the head... garland While some types of wedding headwear were popular across all regions, others had local characteristics, explains Veronika. “They were unique in their construction, technology and design, but were used only across a small region, mostly in Western Polesie. This garland, using several colourful ribbons, isn’t known today, so we don’t really know how it was fastened. A chaplet-cap with a frame made of wire or twigs was lined w it h fe at h e rs and painted in green: the colour of innocence. Some girls married wearing a padvichka, bound with a whole bouquet of flowers (imagine your bouquet on your head rather than in your hands). Perhaps, t h e most prominent and well-known bridal headwear was the ‘staubunovy’ chaplet. It consisted of three parts and was richly decorated. I held one once and it felt alive, moving and trembling, like a bouquet of flowers. As a rule, headwear was colourful, as was the whole wedding outfit; only orphaned brides did not wear colourful clothes, rather choosing white or light colours.

It only became fashionable to wear white wedding dresses in the first half of the 20th century, although they were long decorated with flowers. “As a rule, the flowers chosen were rue, asparagus, mint, periwinkle and, sometimes, fern,” Veronica tells us. “Green was considered a symbol of virginity, worn only by virgin girls.”

‘Crown’ on loan Bridal headwear could be made from live or artificial flowers, as well as lace, beads and cotton-wool wrapped around a twig and dipped in wax. Most were made on the eve of the wedding, on Saturday: usually by the bride and her friends. If the groom were rich, he would order the wedding headwear to be made, creating a richly decorated crown. The chaplet was usually burnt after the wedding, or sewn into a cushion and placed behind an icon. It might also be disassembled, with various elements distributed to friends. “During the second half of the wedding ceremony, brides changed their headwear to show that their status had changed, to being married,” Ms. Bogacheva explains. “ The main difference between a girl’s and woman’s headwear was that the girl’s did not cover the back of her head; this showed her virginity and unmarried status. Married women wore a povoinik (usually for everyday wear), kerchief, houve or hood (houve with ears). “Fashions change of course. Our modern dresses are often quite revealing in the neck and chest areas,” notes Ms. Bogacheva. “However, our grandmothers and their own mothers would have tried to hide naked places with a veil, keeping the bride from others’ eyes.” We may have something to learn from our wise forebears. By Lyudmila Minakova

Ironic implication of merry plots Exhibition at Information Ministry displays caricatures and humorous photos

“W

e’ve been organising this exhibition for three years now,” explains the Editor-in-Chief of satirical magazine Vozhyk (Hedgehog), Yulia Zaretskaya. “It’s impossible to live without humour, so it’s always interesting to look at such works. Each artist boasts their own style and particular technique. No two caricatures are the same.” Skilfully drawn in pencil, Belarusian caricatures are unique in subject, created in just a few strokes. One depicts a cheeky seller offering sausages without meat while another portrays grandparents trying to pull back their granddaughter from the clutches of the Internet. Sergey Volkov, a member of the Belarusian Union of Artists and an Honoured Figure of Arts of the BSSR, tells us, “You need to be born a caricaturist as it’s not an easy art to learn. You may be a perfect graphic artist but be unable to create humorous drawings.” Such moments can be captured by pencil, as well as the camera lens. “Some shots fail to fit any particular genre yet are unarguably interesting,” notes Anatoly Kleshchuk, a photo correspondent with Zvyazda (Star) newspaper. “I’ve made a special folio of such photos, gathered over the years. Some found a place in the newspaper, but I never imagined they’d be exhibited elsewhere.” The impact of caricature and humorous photos cannot be overestimated; foreign editions regularly publish them and, a few years ago, a caricature department opened at the Academy of Arts in Moscow. The exhibition at the Information Ministry draws attention to Belarusian caricature, showing works “Вялікі THEATRE для мяне як любоў і лёс” by domestic masters.

2013 беларусь.belarus

heritage

with 200 year old history Intangible cultural heritage of Belarus: not only beautiful but tasty

any dishes are associated with a particular country: Japanese sushi, Spanish paella and S cottish haggis. Belarus also has its own traditional recipes and, in early 2013, two from the Glubokoe District became part of Belarus’ intangible cultural heritage: the ‘butter ram’ (homemade salted butter shaped into a ram with horns and curly wool); and rye bread.

беларусь.belarus 2013

Welcome with bread and salt The Glubokoe District is located 180km to the west of Vitebsk and one of its villages is Derkovshchina — once home to the Domeiki family. It’s known for its 40m long fortresslike Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, constructed in 1822. Made f rom stone, and boasting a stone wall, it has a twostorey bell tower and was built by Levon Domeiko — an uncle of Ignaty Domeiko (a prominent geologist,

mineralogist, geographer and ethnographer). Levon was born in 1802 in western Belarus and was one of the most famous students of Vilno University. After the Polish rebellion of 1830, he emigrated to Germany and then France before settling in Chile, where he was elected rector of the Chile University, in 1867. Ne a r by i s t h e m ore m o d e s t O r t ho d ox C hu rch of t he Gre at Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. It’s no less dear to Derkovshchina residents, as they built it recently with their own hands. Local resident Stepanida Lupach inspired them in this endeavour but believes that God is behind all our successes. Ms. Lupach, 72, bakes the rye bread now registered on the intangible cultural heritage list of Belarus and tells us that the recipe was learnt from her mother. She thinks it’s been made in the same way for about 200 years. Stepanida explains, “My mother had six children so I learnt how to knead dough from an early age. It’s unusual in not using yeast — just rye wheat, sugar, salt and caraway seeds; it’s very natural and tasty!” Her secrets include using well water and making sure the oven contains steam, to avoid the crust burning. First, she bakes a ‘podpolonok’ in the frying pan — a thin pancake which can be quickly eaten. The main round loaves are coated with salo (lard) before being placed in the bottom of the oven, on a special wooden shovel covered with oak tree or maple leaves. Stepanida tells us, “Once, during zazhinki (an ancient farming holiday) Father Sergiy showed us an icon called The Grower of Crops, depicting God’s Mother in the sky, with sheaves beneath. I bought the same icon and hung it opposite the stove.” During the holidays, Stepanida Alexandrovna supplies delicacies to workers at the local agricultural enterprise and to her neighbours, as well as baking bread for relatives in Kazakh Kostanay. Her local clergymen have even taken her loaves to Jerusalem and Poland.

exhibition

Golden Fleece from butter and horns from wax

Another hostess from the Glubokoe District owns an ancient recipe which has been registered on the intangible cultural heritage list of Belarus. Marina Khrol heads the local House of Culture in the village of Matyukovo and her ‘butter ram’ has been prepared by her family for four generations. I’m curious to know more, so Marina tells me that, long ago, butter was churned in a ‘boika’ — a narrow barrel with a wooden cylinder. It was then washed until the water ran clear. I roll a 300g ball from her ready-made butter and, while I knead it, Marina reveals the history of the ‘butter ram’. She emphasises, “For me, the ‘butter ram’ is as much part of Easter as dyed eggs. My grandfather would take everything to the Catholic Church of the Most Holy a n d Te n d e r Mother of God to be consecrated; it’s located nearby, in the village of Zadorozhie. Then, he sprinkled the table in the middle of our room with holy water and placed a beautiful wreath of flowers there; it’s a wonderful family tradition.” The ram is really festive, especially the curly fleece, and it’s hard to believe that it’s actually made from butter. When I finish kneading my butter ball, Marina divides it into two; the larger part becomes the ram’s head and body while the fleece is shaped from the smaller. Butter is pressed into bandage strips, making it  T h e ‘ Te r e s h k a ’s We d d i n g ’ Kolyady game is listed as part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Vitebsk Region; it remains in its original state only in the Lepel District. The very first to join the

easier to curl, and these are placed over the ram’s body with a knife; it takes 3-4 hours. The horns are then moulded from wax and black pepper grains become the eyes. Everything is then decorated with dill or parsley. Ms. Khrol’s mother taught her to make the ‘butter ram’ and she moulded her first independently at the age of 12. She now praises me for my diligence and advises, “To make the butter figurine last longer, we add salt and, according to tradition, we eat the ram from its tail.”

Ancient traditions for everyone Now that rye bread and the ‘butter ram’ have been recognised as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Belarus, it’s likely that more people will try them. Tatiana Molotovnik, the Head of the Glubokoe District Executive C o m m i t t e e’s C u l t u r a l Department, tells me, “Last year, over 13,000 officially registered tourists visited our village of Mosar, which is called the ‘Belarusian Versailles’. We’re planning to open a small guesthouse and a centre of traditional folk culture, to show tourists how looms were used for weaving in days gone by, and how earthenware items were made on the potter’s wheel. Guests will also be able to prepare and sample traditional Belarusian dishes, following ancient recipes. It should all help preserve our ancient folk traditions while attracting even more tourists to our district.” By Sergey Golesnik

list was the ‘Kolyady Tsars’ custom, performed over Christmas and the New Year in the Minsk Region’s Semezhevo village. In total, the national list covers over 60 items of intangible cultural heritage.

Vivid impressions of life Chisinau hosts personal exhibition of Gomel Region native Vyacheslav Ignatenko — a graduate of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts and Deputy Head of the Belarusian Commune of Moldova

he Earth and Sky exhibition at the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History of Moldova is showing landscapes inspired by the beauty of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. At the launch, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Moldova, H.E. Mr. Vyacheslav Osipenko, congratulated Mr. Ignatenko on the opening of another personal exhibition. The Ambassador emphasised that Mr. Ignatenko’s creativity has always been closely connected with Belarus and is well known in his motherland and abroad, as he has enjoyed about 20 personal exhibitions in Chisinau, Tiraspol, Odessa and Minsk. According to the Ambassador, Mr. Ignatenko’s paintings affirm that art transcends borders and nationality. Although born in Belarus, he has been living in Moldova for many years, promoting the spiritual closeness of our two countries through his creativity.

2013 беларусь.belarus

mosaic

‘If I were on the jury…’

Victoria Azarenko’s degree of influence

Alexander Rybak takes part in Alena Lanskaya’s video and will support her at Eurovision

lexander Rybak has shot the video for our Belarusian representative at Eurovision-2013, Alena Lanskaya, and has announced his active support for her at the international song contest. The video for Solayoh, Alena’s entry, has been shot in Turkey, directed by Turkish Sinol Korkmaz. The location is the perfect accompaniment to the song’s Eastern feel. According to heat.ru, Alexander Rybak arrived in Turkey at the invitation of Ms. Lanskaya, performing a major role in the video free of charge. He has sincerely wished her success at the competition. “If I were on the jury, you’d win immediately,” he has declared. The singer presented Rybak with some Belarusian ‘Alenka’ chocolate. B ookmakers are viewing Ms. Lanskaya’s chances of winning quite highly, predicting that she’ll be among the final ten, alongside Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands and Russia. Solayoh was written by Jewish Marc Paelinck and Martin King, and was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studio. Eurovision-2013 is taking place in Swedish Malmo from May 14th-18th.

беларусь.belarus 2013

Bloomberg rates Belarusian tennis player among top hundred athletes for influence in USA

Puppet performances rival traditional drama Mogilev sums up results of 8th International M@rt.contact Youth Theatre Forum

he organisers of the festival acted wisely in moving away from tradition, in allowing puppet performances to take part. In fact, the Grand Prix went to the Mogilev Regional Puppet Theatre’s experimental interpretation of Hamlet: hailed as a true gift for World Theatre Day. The original performance defied stereotypes that our theatre is predictable. After the second day of the forum, guests from Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Armenia, Moldova and Poland were voicing their approval of puppetr y, claiming that some of the performances were more powerful than traditional d r a m a p r e s e nt at i o n s . Another puppet theatre — f rom Yere van — was awarded ‘For Original Scriptwriting’; its enchanting Flight over the City was full of lyricism, telling the story of a young blind girl, played by the director of the performance, Narine Grigoryan.

he Sportfolio Power rating ranks Victoria (currently #3 world seed) in 32nd place for her influence — purely across the USA. The rankings were compiled on the basis of achievements within the sporting arena and beyond, including advertising potential, advertising revenue and athletes’ social networking activity. Victoria Azarenko has won 16 tournaments under the aegis of the World Tennis Association. This year, she won the Grand Slam’s Australian Open, as well as a large tournament in Qatar’s capital of Doha. The first three places are occupied by James LeBron (basketball), Tiger Woods (golf) and Peyton Manning (American football).